Bozeman · See
The Ellen Theatre
Downtown Bozeman theater opened in 1919, restored by Montana TheatreWorks and hosting live shows again.
A 1919 Main Street playhouse that Bozeman bought back from decline and put back to work.
This place is still going.
The Ellen opened December 1, 1919, with the film The Miracle Man, according to the theater’s history page. Fred Willson designed it. The Story family built it and named it for Ellen Trent Story. For decades it carried vaudeville, movies, and civic nights on Main Street.
By the 2000s the building needed saving. Montana TheatreWorks purchased it, renovated, and reopened December 4, 2008, with A Christmas Carol. The same history page says more than 55,000 people a year now attend events there. 2025 local calendars still list shows and film nights.
The badge here is for the building’s long public life, including the dark stretch before restoration. Remember this place? Tell us what you remember from the movie-house years.
- Address
- 17 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715
- Town
- Bozeman
- Region
- Southwest Montana
- Established
- 1919
- Phone
- 406-585-5885
Remember this place? Tell us what you remember.
Know this place? Send a correction.
What do you say?
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