PSTOS - Ansonia Theatre, Butte Montana

Ansonia Theatre -
Butte, Montana
62 W. Park St.
Organ installation timeframe: 1912 -

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Ansonia Theare, c.1923

The Ansonia Theatre was founded by Phillip Levy and opened in 1912. The theatre was constructed in the Ansonia Building in a space previously occupied by the Lutey Brothers self-service grocery. More about Phillip Levy, in this article from Sanders County Ledger, May 17, 1917.

According to opening week advertisements, the Ansonia Theatre had a pipe organ at the time of its grand opening on Monday July 29, 1912.

There are numerous references to a pipe organ at the Ansonia in advertisements and news articles, but the manufacturer and specification of the instrument is never mentioned.

An article in The Butte Inter Mountain July 27, 1912 describes the Ansonia Theatre's "Magnificent Organ."

The Butte Miner July 28, 1912. "The Grand Pipe Organ Puts a Human Touch on All Pictureplays. From the Whispered Note of the Violin to the Realistic Lion's Roar."

Some organ installation records list the Ansonia instrument as "American (Ansonia) Theatre." Based on research of motion picture industry trade journals and advertisements of the time period, the American and Ansonia were two distinct theatres, both opening in 1912. The theatres had different management companies. The Ansonia was operated by Ansonia Amusement Company. The American was operated by Montana Amusement Company.

Photographs and trade journal news items from 1912 describe pipe organs going to BOTH the American and Ansonia theatres, but unfortunately no manufacturer name is included and no other specifics are provided.

An article in The Butte Miner July 28, 1912 describes the Ansonia Theatre's many amenities including a "Great New Organ."

An article in The Anaconda Standard July 29, 1912 describes organist A.H. Camack presiding "at the magnificent pipe organ." Note misspelling of Cammack's last name.

An article in The Anaconda Standard August 1, 1912 describes organist A.H. Camack as "one of the best known of the pipe organists playing in theaters." Note misspelling of Cammack's last name.

News item in The Butte Inter Mountain August 13, 1912

An article in The Anaconda Standard August 15, 1912 describes organ recitals by Prof. A.H. Cammack who later became conductor of the Ansonia Theatre's orchestra.

News item in The Butte Inter Mountain September 14, 1912. "Prof. A.H. Cammack. A World of Touching Music on the Greatest Pipe Organ in the West."

News item in The Butte Inter Mountain September 27, 1912. Famous organist Clarence Eddy and his wide Grace stopped in Butte as part of their 1911-1913 concert tour of the U.S. and Canada. Mrs. Eddy's maiden name was Grace Morei (Patterson) Dickman. She was an accomplised contralto.

c.1915

Park Street, looking East, c.1920

Park Street, looking West, c.1927

News item in The Butte Miner March 14, 1912 describing plans for the new Ansonia Theatre