Entry No. 39 — the Missoula file — filed under: haunted
The Wilma Theatre
Opened in 1921 as Missoula's first skyscraper, the eight-story Wilma was commissioned by William "Billy" Simons as a tribute to his wife, light opera artist Edna Wilma, and its basement once held an indoor swimming pool called the Crystal Plunge. The Sullivanesque palace-style theater was the flagship of Simons' regional chain. It still operates today as a live music and event venue.
The story
In 1921, theater mogul William "Billy" Simons decided Missoula needed its very first skyscraper, so he built an eight-story Sullivanesque concrete palace at 131 South Higgins Avenue. He named the entire grand structure after his wife, light opera artist Edna Wilma, making it the flagship of his regional theater chain. But the strangest detail wasn't the high-ceilinged auditorium or the steel structure towering over downtown—it was hidden down below. In the basement, Simons installed the Crystal Plunge, a full-sized indoor swimming pool where locals could take a soak before heading upstairs for a show.
The water in the basement was eventually drained, but the theater kept its deep-set echoes. Over the decades, crew members, performers, and late-night staff have shared quiet stories about creaking rafters, cold spots, and faint noises overhead long after the main doors are locked. Whether you put stock in theater ghosts or just century-old plaster settling against Montana winters, the building carries a heavy, unmistakable atmosphere that outlasts every headliner.
What it's like
You will spot the vintage marquee glowing over Higgins Avenue long before you hit the front doors. Remember that this is a working, active concert venue, so you cannot just wander in off the street for a casual walk-through—you need a show ticket to step inside. Grab a ticket for an evening performance, arrive early enough to scan the historic architectural trim while the house lights are up, and pay attention to every odd creak from the balcony before the band starts playing.
The move: Grab tickets to a show, and before the lights go down tell your date the story of Wilma's pool and her ghost so every creak from the rafters lands a little harder.
📍 Before you go It is an operating event/concert venue, so access depends on the show schedule; check the calendar and buy tickets ahead. The haunted lore is best treated as legend, not a guided ghost tour.
- 📍 Downtown Missoula
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 131 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Unseen Missoula: Screams & Spirits — Pair your evening show with a dark-history walking tour around downtown Missoula to dig into local hauntings before doors open.
- Union Club Bar & Grill — Grab a pre-show drink at another historic downtown landmark tied to over a century of local history just two blocks away.
- The Squashed Cat (Cattin' Around) — Take a quick two-block walk down the street before your show to see a 1.5-ton concrete cat sprawled by a parking garage.
Good to know
Where is the Wilma Theatre located?
It is located at 131 S Higgins Ave in downtown Missoula, Montana.
Can I tour the old basement swimming pool or go on a ghost tour?
No. The venue operates purely as a concert and event hall, and the Crystal Plunge pool and ghost lore are part of local history rather than a guided public tour.
How can I see the inside of the Wilma?
You must purchase tickets to a scheduled concert, film, or live event.
Who built the Wilma Theatre?
It was commissioned in 1921 by William "Billy" Simons as a tribute to his wife, light opera performer Edna Wilma.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · missoulian.com · destinationmissoula.org · theclio.com
last checked: 2026-06-24