|
The
Gallatin County Courthouse was built in 1880 at a cost of
$25,000, the lots on Main Street near the corner of what is now
Third Avenue, being donated to the county. A separate building was
erected a few years later for the office of the clerk and recorder.
This was later torn down and an addition was built to the main
building. See County
Organization, names of first officials.
Bozeman Opera House and
City Hall
The first opera house in the county, combined with a
city hall, was completed in 1890, and was opened with a grand
concert by the Queen City Band, September 19, 1890, the proceeds to
provide scenery and curtains for the stage. A grand opening of the
opera house was held October 13, 1890, with the Mendelssohn Quintet
Company of Boston providing the entertainment. Traveling companies
produced many high-class entertainments there in early days, and
when the motion picture industry struck Bozeman, the opera house was
used for a time as a motion picture theater, until modern theaters
were built.
Part of the building is still used for city offices, for the Bozeman
Fire Department and a city jail. The main opera house section is now
used for storage.
Bands in Bozeman
The Bozeman Silver Cornet Band was a prominent
organization in 1880 and for a few years later, A. B. Charpie, the
leader, being a very fine musician and cornet player. So far as
known, the only members of the band now living listed on the calling
card for New Years Day, 1880, are Frank L. Benepe of Bozeman, and
John Kopp, now a resident of Oregon.
The Queen City Band was Bozeman's next band, first
under the leadership of A. B. Charpie, later with Herb Van Horn and
then with Billie Peck. It lasted a few years, taking part in the
celebration when the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in Bozeman.
The Bozeman Kid Band, later called the Bozeman Free
Silver Kid Band, was organized in 1892, with five Howard boys,
Harry, Lou, Ed, L. D. and Eugene Howard, the first three still
living in Bozeman in 1932, Byron and Walter Story, the former still
in Bozeman as is also Fred F. Willson. The other members were Rob
and Perry Chisholm, Jim Young, Reno Sales and George Morganstine
forming the band, with Lou Howard leader. This band functioned for
several years, and it is a matter of record that the band in full
uniform played a concert on Main Street, Christmas day, 1893, when
the weather was pleasant and the streets dusty. This band provided
music for the ceremonies when the corner stone of Montana Hall, the
main building at Montana State College was laid, in October 1896.
The Bozeman Brass Band succeeded the Kid band, with
the addition of some older musicians and Lou Howard still leader.
This band functioned until the installation of the 163rd Regimental
hand, which under the leadership of Warrant officer John Fechter, is
the leading band of the city.
The Bobcat Band of Montana State College, recognized
as one of the leading bands of the state, is under the direction of
Lou Howard, who has been connected with bands in Bozeman for the
past forty years.
Gallatin County High School has a creditable band,
started by Miss Marguerite Hood and in 1932 it is under the
direction of Clayton Farrington.
The Ladies' Imperial Band, under the direction of
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Thompson, was active for a few years, and took
part in the parade of the Sweet Pea Carnival in 1906 and 1907.
There are numerous orchestras in the city and in the schools of
Gallatin County and in some churches, as well as those providing
music for dances and other entertainments. |
