Western Bar, Globe Theater and Hotel, 2716 Minnesota Avenue

The original wood-frame building (ca. 1886-1889) on this site housed a barbershop and confectionery through the latter 1890s, but was replaced with this brick structure between 1898 and 1903. Joshua L. Fogg ran a saloon here from 1902-1903 through 1907, when he also advertised the Globe Theater, which name became linked with the notorious red light district along Minnesota Avenue. The original storefront has been altered but the upper story remains intact.

Historic Name:
Globe Hotel and Theater
Current Name:
Western Bar

Builder:
Unknown

Original Use:
Saloon; Lodgings
Current Use:
Saloon

Physical Description:
The Globe Hotel is a two-story building, with a commercial space on the first floor, and lodgings on the second floor. It is built of red common-bonded brick, and faces onto Minnesota Avenue. One the north (primary) façade, the storefront is enframed by the brick endwalls of the building, and spanned by a wide transom band. Entrances to the commercial space and the upstairs are offset to the west of the storefront. Both the glazing and the entrances are now boarded and covered over with plywood and corrugated fiberglass. The upper story remains intact, here a pair of round brick arches span pairs of double-hung, 1-over-1 windows, each with a round-arched transom echoing the brick arches. The parapet adds further interest and finishes the front. It is trimmed with successive courses of corbeled and angle-laid brick, and capped with a simple raised parapet wall.

Buildings abut this one on both the east and west sides. However, above its east side single-story neighbor and beyond the shorter Oasis building on the west, the Globe Hotel's second story is visible. Upper rooms are illuminated by square, double-hung 2-over-1windows, with flat heads. On the south, the building has been renovated for loading from the alley, with a newer garage door, flanked by glass window blocks. The older segmental openings are still intact on the upper level. This includes a center door with a window on each side. The windows are double-hung 1-over-1, and now blocked from the inside.

Historical Associations:
The first building to occupy lot 14 in block 190 was a wood frame building erected between 1886-1889, one story high. John & Christina Staffeck sold the property in 1893 to Nick Klos who immigrated from Germany in 1888. Through the latter 1890s, there was a barbershop and confectionery here. Nick Klos was a saloonkeeper of long standing listed in Billings from 1884 on, at Minnesota and 28th. In 1900, an address for N Klos cigars and news was given at 12 N 27th.

The original building on this lot was replaced at the turn-of-the-century; in 1903, this brick 2-story building first appears on the Sanborn maps. Joshua L Fogg ran a saloon here from 1902-03 through 1907, when he also advertised the Globe Theater. Upstairs there were lodgings on the second floor, and the name of the Globe Hotel became linked with the notorious red light district along Minnesota Avenue. During the 1920s, maps (1923) and city directories (1927) indicate the building was vacant. However, in 1929-32 Henry Kogen ran a men's clothing shop on the main floor, while rooms upstairs were rented out. Beginning in 1949, the building became the Western Bar. Ownership has changed eight times since then, and the brothel was closed down a number of years ago.

Historical and Architectural Significance:
The commercial building at 2716 Minnesota is a highly significant one, both for its historical associations and its architectural significance. Historically, it is an integral part of the Minnesota business corridor, reflecting the second generation building forms and types that were built in the period following the settlement of town. More substantial buildings of brick or stone, such as this, replaced the early frame buildings that were erected in the first years after the townsite opened to development. Fire damage, and the desire by business property owners to improve their holdings were among the most common the reasons the early buildings were replaced.

The small businesses that operated here - restaurant, barber, confectionery, saloon - were typical in the turn-of-the-century commercial area south of the railroad tracks. Also typical was the bawdy night life of the Globe Theater and the reported associations with the old "line" red light district which was based on Minnesota Avenue. Architecturally, the building is a strong example of end of the century design, with the round brick arches that dominate the façade. The high quality of the brickwork and relatively unaltered condition make this an important representative building from the turn of the century.

Photograph Courtesy of Paul Whiting