Hilltop Theater

More than a century ago, there were more businesses within Stillwater's residential neighborhoods... even neighborhood movie theaters!

The building at 114 West Churchill Street was constructed in 1915. The building was called the "Hilltop Theater" and was one of the early Stillwater silent movie houses.

On February 16, 1916, the Stillwater Messenger announced a change for the theater: "The Hilltop moving picture house," the article read, "will be re-opened immediately under new management. The new manager's name is Samuel Carlson and he is a gentleman who has a wide experience in the moving picture business and knows how to cater to moving picture patrons."

The article also suggested a major problem with the theater's original construction: "Mr. Carlson states that the main drawback to the theatre, the lack of heat, has been remedied by the installation of a number of more radiators, and that the theatre will now be found warm and comfortable." Carlson's wife Pearl and daughter Ethel served as assistant managers at the theater.

In early 1917 the new owners also installed a “comfortable” hardwood floor in the theater.

By 1919, the ownership had changed again, this time the manager at the Hilltop was Fred W. Boll. Boll was the owner of BWF Amusement Enterprises and that company owned the Hilltop and the Majestic Theater on South Main Street.

During the Hilltop's days as a theater, many well-known silent films would be shown. A piano at the front of the theater allowed live music to follow the action on the screen. The cost of seeing a moving picture was only 5 to 10 cents.

Some of the films that were shown at the Hilltop were "A Woman's Honor" which was a four reel feature, "Alias Holland Jimmy" a two reel special, "The Feud" with Tom Mix, a 1921 Sunday Matinee was "Lessons in Love" with Constance Talmadge.

There were also serials that played. These were short movies that came in 15 to 20 parts. The serials would be printed in the weekly newspapers and the public could then bring in the written version and follow along on screen. In 1916, the Hilltop presented "The Girl and the Game" which was the story of mountain railroad life and billed as the "Greatest Serial of the day."

The Hilltop remained in operation until 1924 when Barney Gunderson closed the theater and opened the Gunderson New Garage. Gunderson was billed as an "expert" in mechanical and electrical service and the "exclusive dealer in Gardner and REO Cars."

Gunderson didn't last very long at the site. In 1927 Charles H. Peterson operated the building as the Stillwater Nash Garage, later called Peterson Motors. Peterson would continue business in the building until the late 1950s when his manager, Edward A. Buege took over. In 1960, the Browning Motor Company owned by R.W. Browning operated in the building, and then Darrel Thibodeau started the St. Croix Body Works. Johnson Plumbing, owned by William L. Wendt, operated out of 114 West Churchill for a short time in the mid to late 1960s. Willard Cote purchased the St. Croix Body Works around 1970 and spent the next 15 or 20 years making his living out of the old theater.

The building still stands as a tangible piece of the South Hill's neighborhood history. There are no movies shown or REO Speedwagons to purchase – the building will continue to be a part of Stillwater’s history for generations to come.

— Brent Peterson

Brent Peterson is the Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society.