Mother Lode Theatre: A Testament to Butte’s Rich History
Between 1912 and 1921, Butte, Montana thrived as the demand for copper surged due to World War I and the nation’s growing need for electricity.
With a population nearing 100,000, the city saw a wave of construction, including the YMCA and the Knights of Columbus Hall. The Masonic Bodies added to this legacy in 1923 by constructing a six-story Masonic Temple and an adjoining 1,200-seat Temple Theatre, funded entirely by private donations. The Mother Lode opened as the Temple Theatre on Sept. 6, 1924. As the Great Depression took its toll, the Masons converted the Temple Theatre into a movie house, eventually leased to 20th Century Fox and renamed the Fox Theatre. However, as the movie industry declined, the theatre suffered from neglect, reflecting a broader pattern of Butte’s declining industry, population, and the need for cultural revelries.
By the late 1980s, Butte’s last remaining theatre, the Montana, was demolished, prompting a community-led effort to save the Fox Theatre. The Butte Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization, was formed to restore the theatre. After raising over $3 million, the theatre was fully renovated by 1996 and renamed the Mother Lode Theatre, paying homage to Butte’s mining history.
In 1997, a $500,000 bequest from the Busch sisters funded the addition of the 106-seat Orphan Girl Theatre, further cementing the Mother Lode as a cultural cornerstone in Butte.
Historic Architecture and Masonic Symbolism
The Mother Lode Theatre in Butte, Montana, is a striking example of classical architecture infused with Masonic symbolism, a hand-carved masonry façade with gargoyle-like lions, and a lobby with a gilded tin-paneled ceiling, reflecting the ornate style of the 1920s.
The theatre’s design features a traditional proscenium arch, and a ceiling boasting 130 unique hand-painted squares, each adorned with Masonic shields and crests, meticulously created over two years. These intricate details, along with griffin heads and other heraldic symbols, showcase the rich Masonic heritage embedded in the theatre’s design.
Originally featuring murals that were painted over during a 1990s restoration, the theatre retains its historic charm with original balcony chairs and a Wall of Stage Fame honoring local talents like Bill Smyers. The use of a double-purchase fly system for stage drapes highlights the theatre’s functional elegance, while elements like hidden “flaws” in the design hint at the artistry and history preserved within its walls.
The Mother Lode Theatre stands as a testament to Butte’s cultural and architectural legacy, blending Classical Revival influences with the unique traditions of the Masons.
Photos courtesy of the Montana Standard and Butte Archive
A Legacy of Iconic Performances
Throughout its history, whether known as the Bow, the Fox, or the Mother Lode, this Butte theatre has hosted an array of legendary performers and events.
The stage has seen the likes of actress Betty Compson in 1932 and top Hollywood stars like Joan Leslie, Walter Pidgeon, and Adolph Menjou during World War II, who urged audiences to buy war bonds. In the 1940s, the theatre welcomed stars like Sonja Henie, John Payne, Luise Rainier, and Ethel Barrymore, who left lasting impressions with their performances.
The 1950s continued this tradition with memorable acts such as Spike Jones, Harpo Marx, Louis Armstrong, and the Vienna Boys Choir. The theatre also saw diverse performances from the Bolshoi Ballet, Rex Allen with his horse Koko, and the Agnes de Mille Ballet Troupe. The following decades maintained this star-studded legacy, with appearances by international stars like Mantovani and his orchestra, and more recent performances by the band “America” in 2000.
Butte’s rich entertainment history extends beyond the Mother Lode. The city has hosted a roster of famous names, including Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, Billie Burke, Buffalo Bill, and Amelia Earhart, across various venues. From Broadway and film icons like Ethel Barrymore, and Melvin Douglas to musical legends such as John Phillip Sousa and BB King, the city has been a crossroads for some of the most significant figures in entertainment history. These performances have solidified Butte’s place as a cultural hub, celebrating a century of unforgettable moments on its stages.
Theatre Today
The Mother Lode is home to the Mother Lode Series and a venue for the Butte Community Concert, Butte Symphony, Montana Repertory Theatre, Orphan Girl Children’s Theatre and numerous events staged by local organizations such as Dynamic Dance, Montana Dance Works, and many other performances from across the state and nation.
The Orphan Girl Children’s Theatre operates separately from the Mother Lode to provide theatre productions, camps, and coaching for community youth.
