Entry No. 7 — the Bozeman file — filed under: haunted
The Ellen Theatre
Opened in December 1919, the Ellen was built by the sons of cattle baron Nelson Story and named for the family matriarch, with elaborate terra cotta and a Beaux Arts shell by architect Fred Willson. Staff and ghost-tour groups have long traded stories of a man in a black suit, possibly a Story brother, seen on the balcony and in the back-of-house. It's a fully working theater again after a 2008 restoration, so you can catch a film or live show in the room itself.
The story
When cattle baron Nelson Story's sons—Thomas Byron and Nelson Jr.—decided to build a grand theater for Bozeman in 1919, they commissioned local master architect Fred Willson to wrap a Beaux Arts shell in elaborate terra cotta and named the hall after their mother, Ellen. When the doors opened on December 1, 1919, the venue didn't restrict itself to simple silent reels; it hosted vaudeville acts like ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and fan dancer Sally Rand, alongside an opera performance that famously brought a live elephant onto the stage. A Wurlitzer organ arrived in 1925 to score the silent cinema era.
After decades of commercial movie screenings, gradual disrepair, and a 2007 closure, local non-profit Montana TheatreWorks stepped in to purchase and restore the building, reopening its doors in December 2008. Yet certain original patrons seem disinclined to leave. Theater staff and local ghost-tour groups have long tracked reports of a man in a black suit lurking around the upper balcony and back-of-house corridors—with local legend hinting that one of the Story brothers is still keeping tabs on the family's investment.
What it's like
Check the theater's schedule in advance and book your show tickets online, as the single screen and stage host a rotating mix of live drama, acoustic shows, classic films, and comedy rather than daily walk-in movie hours. Inside the restored auditorium, you sit beneath ornate plasterwork and gilded crown moldings with clear sightlines from both floor and balcony seating. Lines at concessions move quickly before showtime. Take a quiet moment during intermission or right after the house lights up to glance toward the back balcony row—the resident man in black isn't a staged theatrical gimmick, but lore says that's where he likes to linger.
The move: Catch a film or live show at the Ellen, then linger near the balcony to see if the man in black makes an appearance.
📍 Before you go Programming varies; check the theater's calendar and buy tickets for a specific show. The hauntings are folklore, not a staged attraction.
- 📍 Bozeman
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 17 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Gallatin History Museum (Old County Jail) — Pair the theater's phantom folklore with a walk two blocks down Main Street to explore another 1911 Fred Willson design that once locked up county prisoners.
- Ghosts of Bozeman's Past: Sunset Hills Cemetery Walking Tour — Trace the real-world roots of Ellen Trent Story and the Story family dynasty to their permanent resting place on this historic walking tour.
- Tune Up Bar — Drop into this basement bar housed in a former National Guard military band room for post-show drinks and live music.
- Stockman's Bar — Follow up an evening show with a drink inside a revived western saloon featuring a salvaged 19th-century San Francisco back bar.
Good to know
When was The Ellen Theatre built and who designed it?
The theater was designed by Bozeman architect Fred Willson and opened on December 1, 1919. It was built by Thomas Byron Story and Nelson Story Jr., the sons of pioneer cattle baron Nelson Story, and named after their mother, Ellen Trent Story.
Is the ghost sighting part of a staged tour or attraction?
No. The reports of a man in a black suit appearing on the balcony and backstage are traditional local folklore, not a performance or haunted house attraction.
What kind of performances take place at the Ellen Theatre now?
Following its 2008 restoration by Montana TheatreWorks, the venue operates as a fully functioning theater presenting live stage plays, concerts, stand-up comedy, classic film screenings, and local community events.
Where is the theater located in Bozeman?
The Ellen Theatre is located at 17 W Main St in downtown Bozeman, Montana.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: historicmt.org · Official site · bozemanmagazine.com · bozemandailychronicle.com · cinematreasures.org
last checked: 2026-06-24