Red Lodge in Carbon County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Roman Theatre
Red Lodge Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2021
1. Roman Theatre Marker
Inscription.
Roman Theatre. Red Lodge Commercial Historic District. Original rusticated and ashlar concrete blocks and the 1935 ROMAN marquee distinguish the façade of this early movie theater. Austrian immigrant Steve Roman built the theater in 1917. One of fourteen sons, nineteen-year-old Roman came to Red Lodge in 1897 to work in the mines. He launched into the theater business, operating several local theaters before he built the Roman. Roman’s wife, Librera, ran the upstairs Hotel Isabella, and at various times Roman’s six children took tickets, performed on the theater’s stage, accompanied silent movies on the organ, operated the projector, and ran the box office. In 1935, Roman extensively remodeled the theater adding air conditioning, new seats, draperies, lighting, and the eight-foot Art Deco style neon marquee. The remodel, by architect Bjarne Moe and contractor C. W. Hamrick, both of Seattle, caused considerable local excitement. The opening gala featured special appearances by the nationally renowned Crockett Family. Admission cost 35 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. Daughter Mary managed the theater until 1977. The Roman retains much of its 1935 façade and is Montana’s oldest, continuously-running moving picture theater.
Original rusticated and ashlar concrete blocks and the 1935 ROMAN marquee distinguish the façade of this early movie theater. Austrian immigrant Steve Roman built the theater in 1917. One of fourteen sons, nineteen-year-old Roman came to Red Lodge in 1897 to work in the mines. He launched into the theater business, operating several local theaters before he built the Roman. Roman’s wife, Librera, ran the upstairs Hotel Isabella, and at various times Roman’s six children took tickets, performed on the theater’s stage, accompanied silent movies on the organ, operated the projector, and ran the box office. In 1935, Roman extensively remodeled the theater adding air conditioning, new seats, draperies, lighting, and the eight-foot Art Deco style neon marquee. The remodel, by architect Bjarne Moe and contractor C. W. Hamrick, both of Seattle, caused considerable local excitement. The opening gala featured special appearances by the nationally renowned Crockett Family. Admission cost 35 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. Daughter Mary managed the theater until 1977. The Roman retains much of its 1935 façade and is Montana’s oldest, continuously-running moving picture theater.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment
Location. 45° 11.111′ N, 109° 14.812′ W. Marker is in Red Lodge, Montana, in Carbon County. Marker is on Broadway Avenue South near 13th Street East, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 Broadway Avenue South, Red Lodge MT 59068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is to the right of set of doors on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
