HomeMy WebLinkAbout26 S. Grand Nomination �E
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MONTANA HISTORICAL/ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY #5 p Q 1 -
_ HISTORIC NAME:� Bozeman Sheet Metal Works - - --
ADDRESS: 26 S. Grand, Bozeman
LEGAL BOUNDARY: Story's Addition, Blk B
Lots 10-11
OWNER'S NAME: J & H Office Machines
OWNER ADDRESS: 26 S. Grand, Bozeman
SPECIFIC DATE: 1936 i t
ARCHITECT: Fred F. Willson
BUILDER: Unknown
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ORIGINAL OWNER: Frank Hoey .'NEOQuIAMENT
ORIGINAL USE: sheet metal sales r
PRESENT USE: office supply store
UTM REFERENCE: 12/496 975/505 8150
ACREAGE: less than one A
U.S.G.S. QUAD: Bozeman, 1953 _
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Applicable Criteria: C --
Number of Contributing Properties: 1
One of the few exceptional examples of the Streamline Modern style of architecture in
- Bozeman, built when the style was first caning into general use during the Great
Depression, this striking, black and white building exemplifies the diversity of Sozeman's
virtually monopolistic early 20th century architect, Fred F. Willson, - The energetic
design, as typical of the style, expresses speed and movement through its curved marquee
and corner display window, horizontally striped parapet, and, most unusual, the central
display window and flanking tiled piers which lean outward toward the sidewalk.
The extensive use of sheet metal in this facade may have been intended to advertise the
projects of its original occupant: the Bozeman Sheet Metal Works. That business, owned by
Frank E. Hoey, stood to benefit from the starkly modern image this storefront projected,
for many of the products it provided, such as heating and ventilating systems, air
conditioning, furnaces, refrigerators and gas ranges, in 1936 represented the emergence of
a distinctly modern American lifestyle, significantly advanced from the 19th century ways
that were still basically predominant. Hoey's business remained at this location into the
1960's, and possibly later. Previous to 1935, it was located across the street at 25 S.
Grand.
Fred F. Willson was educated at Colombia University in New York City, and practiced
architecture in Bozeman from 1910 to 1956. He secured nearly every major contract in the
city during that time, as well as many minor ones. Although examples of his work encompass
virtually every style popular during his practice, only two examples of the Streamline
Moderne style designed by him remain, the other being the J.C. Penny Building at 23 E.
Main. No other historic building in Bozeman,, however, is comparable to this one in overall
impact, which results from its angularity, contrast, and starkness,
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
This small one-story brick commercial structure has a rectangular plan and a flat-roof.
The significant part of this building is its interesting Streamline Moderne facade. The
cl
fiat, roof awning extension above the front entrance is supported by angled wall extension
of the building. There are several large fixed windows set at a projecting angle and
.curved and clipped corner windows. All windows have raw aluminum frames. The bearing wall
construction is finished in brick coursing with a combination of terra cotta coping on the
rear. The front section is finished with vertical and horizontally set-grooved sheet metal
in black with raw aluminum ribbing at the apron, awning, and parapet levels. The roof
- supports in front are finished in black glazed tile with white mortar. The entrance is
fashioned with curved raw aluminum panels in a vertical ribbed pattern. The door itself is
a 2-fight aluminum door.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: ---
Record of Water Service: New Water Service, Frank Holy Jr. , June 17, 1936.
Water Service Renewal: Frank Holy, Jr. , 1962
City Directories: 1935-61 p. 3 8; 1940, p. 34
Fred Willson Job List: 1936, Job # 3610: "Bozeman Sheet Metal Works Shop - Hoey. "
FORM PREPARED BY: James R. McDonald, P.C. (1983-84) ; Matthew Cohen (1985-86 revision) ;
Patricia Bick (1987 revision) , State Historic Preservation Office, 225 No. Roberts, Helena,
Montana 59620 (406) 444-7715