Standing majestically atop the rolling prairies of Eastern Montana, the Fort Peck Theatre is one of the states most magnificent treasures. Originally built in 1934 as only a temporary structure, its beauty and sound construction have stood the test of time. Today it is a vibrant, vital part of community and culture for residents and visitors alike.

 

Design and construction of the Theatre was carried out by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. It was a labor-intensive project which integrated the New Deal arts and crafts tradition with a Swiss chalet motif. Many elaborate, decorative appointments can be found both inside and out. Overhead in the auditorium the hand crafted light fixtures are some of the finest examples of 1930's artisanship seen today. Created locally in the Corps of Engineers shop, the fixtures were built by hand, using metal strapping and hand-blown glass. Also of note are the massive, hand-hewn beams that span the width of the auditorium. Each is nearly two feet thick and 74 feet long. Proudly perched atop the highest point of the Fort Peck Theatre is a beautiful weather vane, specifically designed for the Theatre and included in the architect's original drawings. It is still in fine shape today, and remains a testament to the craftsmen and construction of the period.

 

On Friday, November 16, 1934, only 9 short months after construction was begun, the Fort Peck Theatre opened its doors as a movie house, showing The Richest Girl in the World, starring Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea. During "The Dam Days", movies ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often with every one of the 1,209 seats filled. People sometimes stood in lines seven blocks long to purchase tickets. The adult admission price was 40 cents on the main floor, 30 cents in the balcony. Children attended for a dime. During this time, the population of the area in and around Fort Peck was over 50,000 and an evening at the movies was a special event for young and old alike.

 

One of the incredible treasures remaining from this time period is currently on display the lobby of the Theatre. The Arc movie projector, one of two used by the theatre during the 1930's, is a 35mm carbon-rod projector that offers a unique glimpse back to the technology of the times. The second, identical projector is on loan to the Pioneer Museum in Glasgow.

 

Today, the Fort Peck Theatre stands tall and beautiful, ready to entertain this and future generations. Under the care of devoted volunteers and loyal supporters, its beauty is restored and it remains a significant part of Montana life.