Built to house not only a vaudeville theatre, which became a movie theatre, but also retail shops and offices, the Ruby Theatre was, over the years, home to a diverse number of businesses and shops. The building's designer was Wellington Smith of Butte.
neon sign still hangs on the front of the building, with the neon on one side still shining. One side of the sign was lit when we visited, while he other side was dark. All the neon on the dark side appears to be in place, so it may work, as well. We don't know.
Today the upper floor has been converted to apartments and while the rest of the building is occupied by the
Ruby Theatre
The Ruby Theatre in Three Forks, built in 1916 to replace an earlier frame theatre building,
represents the second phase of commercial construction, typical of many fledgling Montana
communities and characterized by the erection of more permanent, masonry buildings. The theatre remains a very prominent structure on Three Forks' Main Street and testifies to the high aspirations embraced by this small railroad town only a few years after its founding. In addition to its entertainment offerings, the Ruby Theatre also served as the community meeting hall for many years.
The town was incorporated on December 20, 1909. By 1911 the population had increased to about 2,300 people. About this time the Empire Theatre was opened, operated by D. Russell (Slim) Byrd. A
few years later the theater was known as the "Ruby Theatre," reportedly named for Ruby
Langdon who became Mrs. Byrd. The Theater was then purchased by E. C. Waddell...
In 1916 Waddell had plans for a new theater prepared by Wellington Smith, an architect from Butte. Construction began in May, 1916; the first show in the new building was given on November 8, 1916. "Birth of a Nation" was presented in January, 1917, followed by other epics, good movies and bad movies. Lon Chaney, Marie Dressier, Rudolph Valentino, Tom Mix, The Three Stooges, and many, many others appeared on the Ruby screen. The Ruby primarily offered movies for entertainment, but travelling theatrical troupes also played there. For example, "Ole the Swede," a live show, was heavily advertised in March, 1920. Also in that year a lecture sponsored by the Non-Partisan League, a local band concert, and the Armistice Day observation were held at the Ruby.
With few changes either externally or internally, the Ruby Theater continued to serve the people of Three Forks for about 60 years.
From the NRHP Nomination Form