Previously known as the Smead-Simons Building, this eight-story Wilma Theatre building was commonly referred to as western Montana’s first “skyscraper” after its construction. Known as one of the finest theatres in the West, the Wilma opened on May 11, 1921, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performing. It would continue to serve as the “Showplace of Montana,”and to this day represents the cultural heart of downtown Missoula.

Entrepreneur William “Billy” Simons, commissioned local architect Ole Bakke to design the building. Simons was a producer of Wild West Stage shows and had previous experience constructing and managing theaters throughout the Northwest. The theater became a living memorial to his wife, Edna Wilma, a famous light opera star. The original design included a theatre, enclosed Olympic-sized swimming pool and gymnasium, restaurant, barber shop, two stores, offices, and apartments. This facade of the building originally served as a retaining wall for the Clark Fork River until a diversion project in 1958 changed the course of the river.

The theatre underwent extensive renovations in 1951, which included the installation of a marquee, the acquisition of a Robert Morgan organ from the Orpheus Theatre in Seattle, the addition of a concert Baldwin piano from the San Francisco Opera House, and the installation of modern projection, lighting, and sound equipment.

On January 20, 1952, Red Skies of Montana, a movie loosely based on the 1949 Mann Gulch fire on the Helena National Forest, premiered at the Wilma. The movie starred Richard Widmark, Constance Smith, and Jeffrey Hunter and was filmed primarily in Missoula and surrounding areas.

After years of use as a movie theatre, the Wilma has recently undergone a complete revitalization and renovation –establishing it as one of the premier venues of its size in the Western United States. It now hosts a variety of cultural events ranging from live music, to comedy, to the performance arts. The Wilma now stands as a testament to the efficacy of historic preservation tax incentives and creative reuse as it combines a modern infrastructure in a beautiful, historic building.

Credits and Sources:

Mathews, Allan James. A Guide to Historic Missoula. Helena: Montana Historical Society Press, 2002.

Historic photos courtesy of Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.