North Park in Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Rex Hotel
Billings Townsite Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020
1. Rex Hotel Marker
Inscription.
Rex Hotel. Billings Townsite Historic District. A twist of fate landed 16-year-old German immigrant Alfred Heimer a job with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show in 1894. Although the irascible Colonel Cody fired young Heimer three times during that first day, the youth remained as steward of Cody’s private railway car until 1903, developing a close friendship with the famous frontiersman. The genial Heimer settled in Billings and built the Rex Bar circa 1909, which served such colorful patrons as Buffalo Bill and Will James. Early advertisements extolled Heimer’s German lunches and promised the “Best Beer in Town.” Circa 1917, addition of the third floor converted Heimer’s “nice furnished rooms” into a classy hotel that hosted many dignitaries including the great Crow chief, Plenty Coups, who stayed here in 1921 en route to Washington, D.C. Under new proprietors the Rex flourished during Prohibition; the bar simply went under cover. The hotel closed in 1974 and narrowly escaped demolition. Award-winning rehabilitation has restored the Rex to its former glory, where the hospitality first offered by Alfred Heimer is again Billings tradition.
A twist of fate landed 16-year-old German immigrant Alfred Heimer a job with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show in 1894. Although the irascible Colonel Cody fired young Heimer three times during that first day, the youth remained as steward of Cody’s private railway car until 1903, developing a close friendship with the famous frontiersman. The genial Heimer settled in Billings and built the Rex Bar circa 1909, which served such colorful patrons as Buffalo Bill and Will James. Early advertisements extolled Heimer’s German lunches and promised the “Best Beer in Town.” Circa 1917, addition of the third floor converted Heimer’s “nice furnished rooms” into a classy hotel that hosted many dignitaries including the great Crow chief, Plenty Coups, who stayed here in 1921 en route to Washington, D.C. Under new proprietors the Rex flourished during Prohibition; the bar simply went under cover. The hotel closed in 1974 and narrowly escaped demolition. Award-winning rehabilitation has restored the Rex to its former glory, where the hospitality first offered by Alfred Heimer is again Billings tradition.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
Location. 45° 47.015′ N, 108° 30.02′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is in North Park. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Montana Avenue (Business Interstate 90) and North 25th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Montana Avenue, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020
2. Rex Hotel and Marker
The marker is to the right of the covered entrance.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020
3. Rex Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
