From Rags to Riches: The History of the Belle Mehus Auditorium
The Belle Mehus auditorium is just a historic venue in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota. The Belle Mehus Audi torium Bismarckwas built in 1912 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The belle mehus auditoriumis the oldest surviving theater in Bismarck and is among the few remaining types of early 20th century vaudeville theaters in the United States.
The Belle Mehus Auditorium was built by local businessman John Mehus. Mehus was a Norwegian immigrant who came to Bismarck in 1882. Mehus was a successful businessman and was one of many largest landowners in Bismarck. He built the Belle Mehus Auditorium Bismarck as a present to the people of Bismarck.
The Belle Mehus Auditorium was designed by architect Joseph Bell. Bell was a prominent architect in the Midwest and designed several theaters in the region. The Belle Mehus Auditorium is really a classical revival style building with a brick exterior and a limestone trim. The auditorium features a main floor and a balcony. The key floor features a capacity of 1,200 people and the balcony has a capacity of 400 people.
Referring to Belle Mehustheater events, the Belle Mehus Auditorium was originally employed for vaudeville shows, concerts, and other live entertainment. The auditorium was also useful for movies and film screenings. The initial movie shown at the Belle Mehus Auditorium was The Birth of a Nation in 1915. The auditorium continued to be useful for movies and live entertainment in to the 21st century.
The Belle Mehus Auditorium is owned by the City of Bismarck. The auditorium underwent a major renovation in 2006. The auditorium has become employed for a variety of events including concerts, movies, plays, and lectures.