Welcome to the Belle Mehus Auditorium! The people of Bismarck have been seeking entertainment since the founding of the town in 1872. In the wild, rough early days of the new frontier community, the soldiers sent to protect the surveyors plotting the course of the Northern Pacific Railroad across the plains of North Dakota and over the waters of the Missouri River sought rather crude forms of entertainment. They enjoyed gambling, drinking, and carousing in the bawdy houses and saloons that sprang up to serve their needs.

Before statehood, Fourth Street was wild enough to be called Bloody 4th and booze joints and the girls at Little Casino's Brothel were popular. But as the community grew and became the home to more women with children and families, the need for more restrained forms of entertainment also grew. Dance halls and opera houses provided a slightly higher form of amusement for a time, as did meeting halls founded by fraternal organizations and civic spirited individuals.

A time finally came when Bismarck was asked to vote to build its own city auditorium, which would encourage entertainment of a loftier, upscale nature. It was decided to ask the Minneapolis firm of Reed and Stem to provide plans for a fine structure. The town budgeted $45,000 for the project, and when the Reed and Stem plans penciled out to over $65,000, there was quite a concern. Local Bismarck architect Arthur Van Horne took over the project and the plans, designing a building that came in closer to cost.

Finished in 1914, this ambitious building could hold 1500 people and was a fireproof, modern structure of steel and reinforced concrete. Fireproof was a real plus for the community so worried about the destructive forces of fire that had already scarred the town. The lovely finishes within the auditorium were elegant and impressive, matching the Beaux Art style of the exterior. Arthur Van Horne's architectural vision is evidenced throughout Bismarck and includes the Prince Hotel just a few streets away from the auditorium. The town was rightly pleased and proud of the safety and beauty of the finished building. And Bismarck is still proud of it.

Opening night at the City Auditorium in 1914 did not disappoint its supporters. The night featured Reginald de Koven's popular operetta Robin Hood. Entry to the show came at a premium. $18 for a box seat, an enormous sum of money in those days! Even so, the house was sold out that evening. Over the years, many famous performers have been featured at the auditorium. Among them were the inspirational African American opera singer Marian Anderson, who had to be housed across the river in Mandan because of the unfortunate racial barriers of the time. In 1935, the Chicago Symphonic string quartet played a concert with Native American musicians adapting their compositions to incorporate the beat and rhythm of the Indigenous musical expression. President Woodrow Wilson spoke at the auditorium in 1919, and John F. Kennedy spoke during his presidential campaign in the 1960's.

After decades of loving but hard use, the once elegant cultural center became worn and tired. Fortunately, in 1996, the community once again stepped up to promote this entertainment jewel by investing in a $2.4 million renovation. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the City Auditorium was renamed the Belle Mehus Auditorium after a well-loved piano teacher and music advocate. To see performances at the Belle is just as thrilling now as it was for the first audiences.