Article by Jessica Renstrom  |  Photos by Arianna Skoog

Built in 1909, the Billings Depot has played a pivotal role in the history of Billings. This beloved train station has hosted presidents, celebrities, and even the Crown Prince of Sweden. Since transitioning to an event venue, the Depot has been a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions. However, the Depot is much more than a beautiful space for celebrations. With an expansive campus spanning four city blocks, it is a significant part of the downtown Billings district and a catalyst for economic development, attracting tourism, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the vibrancy of our community.

MONTANA HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT

Preserving the historical charm of the Billings Depot campus requires an incredible amount of work, but Michelle Williams, the depot's executive director, is dedicated to doing just that: “We’re making sure that the Depot is not just maintained but continuously evolving and growing so it can be enjoyed by future generations.”

In response to this commitment, the Billings Depot was awarded over $400,000 from a Montana Historical Preservation Grant. This grant, along with funds from the city and fundraising efforts, is being utilized to maintain the Depot's historic allure while enhancing safety for visitors and patrons. A portion of these efforts are for essential renovations, such as refinishing the wood floors, repainting the roof, updating the doors, and implementing safety features such as upgrading concrete sidewalks and adding new snow spikes to the roof. Along with these campus-wide updates, renovations include revitalizing one of the campus’s four buildings: The Post.

THE POST: FROM MAIL TO MINGLE

Originally serving as the station’s mail room, The Post building has housed various tenants over the years. In 2018, this Depot campus area was opened as a versatile event space for groups of up to 50 people. This year, The Post has once again undergone construction, but this time, with the focus on preserving its historical charm. “The goal for the restoration is to bring the space back to its original beauty,” describes Michelle. The recent efforts to revitalize this beautiful, bright space have included removing paint from the wood trim and doors and exposing the raw cement floors, as well as adding historical pieces with a modern twist, like expanded mail slot cubbies, which serve as unique storage for wine and alcohol bottles or business conference check-in materials.

Next to The Post is the original lunch room on campus, which now hosts Bar MT, a cozy bar serving a wide selection of products. “Bar MT has 200 flavors of beer and wine on tap from all around the Rocky Mountain Region,” explains Michelle. “If people rent The Post, they can work with Bar MT. Bar MT will serve on the patio or serve drinks to The Post building.” Bar MT also works closely with the Depot to provide wine and beer for events hosted in the Passenger Station or Baggage Room.

SO MUCH MORE THAN WEDDINGS

Voted as the top Wedding Venue for seven years in a row through the Billings Readers’ Choice awards, the Billings Depot is one of the most desired spots for newlyweds to say their vows and celebrate with family and friends. With beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, convenient proximity to hotels and amenities, and a full catering kitchen, the Depot is committed to giving their guests the best experience.

This commitment drove the Depot staff to achieve certification as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), by completing training with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Equipped with this training, the Depot staff ensures that every guest, including sensory-sensitive individuals, has what they need to enjoy the festivities.

However, hosting weddings is only a portion of the Depot’s contribution to the community. “We are so much more than a wedding venue,” expresses Michelle. “The Depot is integrated into so many conversations in city development beyond what people think of as a wedding venue.” The Depot caters to a broad range of events, from business meetings to travel tours, contributing significantly to the local economy by attracting event attendees who support surrounding businesses.

And because of the Depot’s expansive campus, they are directly involved in many conversations about the area, including safety and security, parking, traffic calming, lighting, potential passenger rail service, etc. Many of these conversations involve the greater Montana Avenue community, which led to the creation of the Historic Montana Avenue Association.

Join the Billings Depot Campus An exciting opportunity has emerged for businesses looking to be part of the Depot's campus. The easternmost building, formerly housing the City of Billings Public Works Department, is now available for lease. Boasting 17 offices, a conference room, and modern amenities, this space perfectly blends historical charm and contemporary functionality. As part of the Billings Depot campus, renters can use both the Depot and The Post event spaces periodically throughout the year. The new tenant will have access to off-street parking (a rarity in downtown Billings) while also enjoying the convenient location within walking distance to some of Billings’ best restaurants, bars, and art galleries.

For more information, get in touch with the Billings Depot by visiting their website at: www.billingsdepot.org

Originally printed in the April 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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