HomeMy WebLinkAbout308 S Bozeman Register Nomination NPS Form 10.900 CMH No. 1024-0016
(Rev. Oct. 1990)
United Statev Department of the Interior
Valiunal Park Sen ice
NATIONAL REGISTER OF _I[-[1STORI(' 1_�'L ACES
REGISTRATION FORM
1.Name of Property
historic name Ixwis,Samuel.House
other name;site number
2. Location
street 3 number 308 Suudi Boze-nan Avenue not for publication:na
vicinity:na
eityAcwn: Ro-reman
state: Montana code MT county: Gallatin code: (131 zip code. 5971
3.State/Federal Agency Certificatiem
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservatian Act of 1986,as amended.I hereby certify that this X.nomination_ request for
determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the
procedural and professional require forth in 36 CFR Part 60 In my opinion,the property X meets—does not meet the Naticra!Register
Criteria I teeon'Tmend tha11tha11 ifrtS pr rty considered significant_nationally_statev ide X locally
Signature of certifying official/Tale Date
Mentanu State;Historic Preservation Utiice
State or Federal agency or bureau ( See continuation sheet tot additional comments.)
In my opinion,the property_meets _does not meet the National Register criteria
signature of commenting or other official pate
State or Federal agency and bureau
J. National Park lien ice Certification --
t,hereby certify that this property is Signature or the Keeper Date of Action
_entered in the National Register
_see continuation sheet
determined eligible for the National Register
see continuation sheet
_Cetermined not eligible for the National Register
_see continuation sheet
_removed from the National Register
_see continuation sheet
_ether iexplain)
Lc«i,; tiamuci. I1iIwr ("allatinc_uun_tc Mmitolla
Name of Property County and State
5.('IassiPcution
Ownership of Property:Pnvate Number of Resources within Property
Cunlnbul r3 Noncontributing
Category of Property: C3tulding
I 1 buildings)
Number of contributing resources previously _sites
listed in the National Register:ria _ _structures
_ +objects
Name of related multiple property listing:na
1 I 'TU'I'AL
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions: Current Functions:
D�NIES'rici:single l anniv DC)NIESTICr5ingle Family
7.Description
Architectural Classificatlun: Materials:
LAT1; VIC l O0jU\NUQtteen Anne;-Eastlake foundation Rubblcsione
walls: Brick,Wood Shingle
root: Asphalt Shingle
other:
narrative Description
The Samuel Lewis Housc Is ltx:aied at 308 South 13itzeman Avenue in Bozeman,Montana,and is siluated in the center of a vast 3lnall side
historic residential neighborhood. 'laic Lindley Place and South Tracy/South Black National Register Historic Districts are located roughly
one block to die east avid west respectively. Lcx:ated on Lots 1 t)and 11 Block A,in Bozeman's Lmdlev and Guv's Addition,the house is in
the middle of the block on the cast side of a nvrdi,outh street. The landscaped 100'x 140'yard is dominated by mature evergreens and
lilacs,%vhich someuh:u obscure the residence from the street.
SA,MUEL LEWIS HOUSE
Exterior Feuturer:
The detached two stony Samuel Lewis Hul>_sc:is in the Queen Anne Style with character-defining F.astlake ornainerit►ttion fhe massing is
irregular,but Is derived lioitl a central block with s mmcincal wings--a lavuut Icatured tit the original gable bunt and w lit ings nnhouse
design(see liclo ) The design combines hnek masonry on the lint and econd floors chili ticxxlen shed and gable dormers,cutana%
vvexxl porches,and wi xxI detailing l Inpainted red-ouinge brick cumpo;cs most of the extenor and is t�picall} ak;cenlcd by dCCur;ulte
mas.,nry headers or soldier coursing at the window openings The ni,rth and south gable end_:.as well a.-,must d(inncrs and pednliel►ts.lire
Finished in wcxxlen shingles in an imbricated pattern,adding textural interest throughout The roof I,.I 1.-wh .teep gable across the ciaitral
e{'Ire, ►1'itli lti%%,er ctVtii L:ibleN pruiee:ting t)ii culler side l'encsltalion t.S N llriCil, w')lh chli►hlc:1111Iig, fixed, ind stained glass;%indimS of
seccral sizes throughout the how se Thu h�)use rests Im a rubble ti)uuduuun
PIPS Form 10-400-a OMB Approval No. 1024.0018
(8-86)
United State% Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National 1E egister of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number, Lewis,Samuel,House Page l
Gallatin County, Oontana
The Original House:
In 1881, Lewis began construction of a vernacular interpretation of an Farly Classical Revival Style Palladian three-part plan house,
Expressing a gable-tront-and-wings layout,the house feature-d a one-and-one-half stor'v central block with a prominent and fairly-steep
front-tracing gable end on the west elevation. I'hc central block was flanked by identical one-stony wings. The onginal plain wood franle
Instruction was;finished rn wcxxi lap siding and decorative corner boards. fenestration was generally balanced with 4/4 double-hung
windows on either wing and in the front-facing gable end The central block leaturcd a polygonal one-story front hay window-with paneled
window aprons and four 111 double-hung windows Each wing featured the-story two hay porches covering four-panel entrance
dm)rways. Each wing also featured an interior end,corbeled cap chimney and the central wing featured a central,corbeled cap chimney,
which further reinforced the structure's 5-ymmettical appearance:.'
The Remodeled grouse:
In 1889,Lewis began a substantial remodeling of his South Bozeman Avenue house What was a supple%ernacular frame house:was
transformed into a far more picturesque and stylistically sophisticated expression of the(Queen Anne style. The wealthy barber and
landlord veneered the house in brick and applied exuberant and fanciful masotny.glass and wooden etnbellishnients. Oft ese,the
distinctive Eastlake ornamentation--including cat-'ed wood brackets,turned porch columns,paneled bar-cboards. abacus.-like spindle
friezes,lattice work, and sunburst applique ennchmcnt--is most impressive
Despite these improvements,the Samuel Lewis 1 louse retains many character-defining I�alures of its onginal design Although the
Intxiitied massing of the residence is far more irregular than the 1881 farmhouse;,it is,nonetheless derived from the original gable-front-
and-wings form.
The remodeled pnmary facade features a disti nctivc Eastlake entrance porch with a steeply-ptichcd gabled rcx►f supported by a series of
robust turned wood posts and latticework front to back on each side of the cntry door- The w•cxxlcn triangular pediment over the arched
entry displays an ornate.sunburst decoration.The first-floor features a wide assortment of fixed anti double-hung windows. The upper sash
of the largest of the double-hung\vndows feature decorative borders of small square panes Several of these windows also feature
rectangular stained glass tranuims in a variety of colors and patterns fypical eof the:Eastlake Sivlc,the double-hung wlndow3 on the
canted corneas of the central block and true~gable wing,feature flat-roofoycrhangs;upported liv stylized curved w'exeden brackets with
reliiantental pendants. The shed-roolled dormer I,ca I`20 i above the front entrance contains three small 4/1 double-hung windows and IS
fintshcd to imbricated asphalt shingles 'rhe donunant frunt facing gable leatures caned,paneled bargeboanls and an abaci„-like spindle
dive-be►lh Irademarks eef the Eastlake styli 11u a entral sting Icuttues;I ce utrul,carhelui-cap.ttatic rctil masortn chirnuTet
l'be north side is accented by angled corners inirrorutg tho t:found on the pr0JCCIIng central block of the primary elevation As on the front
facatte,the double-hung windows on the outer corner:of ncc northern wing are accentuated by flat-roof overhangs supported by sn-lizedd
carved wtxKlcn bracket,with ornamental pendants And. us heli re,the upper sash of the double-hunk window;possess decorative borders
of;inall square panes%%nth rectangular stained glass trunsOms In A Vargas of colors and patterns. A;mull rectangular%vmtiu\t featunng
:mull divtded hght paten;in a 114 pattern Is premou in the middle of the nght-hand stile of the elevation,and a I l I double-hung w utd;m
vineroaches lno►(lie unbrlcated shingle gable end on the:upper left A prom incril,mteruer eutl,e:eerbe:led-cup dark red hi ick clti rim cv Ili sects
the ede:%auon and is prcrhably a remnant of the IXst residence:
' \n ctomig•,t 1 wets'.pnq%rreas,nxluding ttu onginal IXXI slnt0m:at 10X south IAezolian.tct%I Cal all ed nI%11-:earl \ LIWMIM IteSt.r,
-d_\tolllamt 17A')-_] V JCIiwaglo warner.Item:end l'.Nnpanti. IXX5t•:V
NIPS Form 10.900•a CMB AFxx'ovat No. 102E-001fl
(8-86)
United States Department of the Inferior
National Park Ser%ice
National P\egister of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Seciton number; Lettis,Samuel,House Page
Gallatin County,Montana
Like the west and north elevations,the south side has two double-hunt;windows with decorative hordes s of small square panes and
rect,uagular stained glass transoms in a variety of colors and patterns. Projecting from the roof are an inlbricated shingle liable and.above
it,a steepeT imbricated gable. A non-historic skylight is evident on the left-hand side of the roof,but due to mature landscaping is not
visible from the street.
The cast or rear elevation is dominated by a central projecting pre-190d brick addition. A small brick hipped-roof addition leaturma a
small 212 fixed square window projects off the cast corner of the addition The back side of the south tying features a double-hung window
with a decorative harder of small square panes and a rectangular stained glass transom,like those found on other elevations. The rear door
also features a rectangular stained glass transom The south side of the addition fe Mures a distinctive wrxxien vein,two non-historic
rectangular fixed plate glass window,,and it nun histunc glass door. A small,east-facing gabled dormer is present where the east and
south wings meet the north tying. 1.ike the other dormers,it is covered with imbricated wood sF:mgles and futures a diamond shaped fixed
window as well as a south facing non-historie skylight_
Interior Features:
The interior of the Samuel Lewis House retains several notable historic features. Historic and, in some cases,possibly original woodwork
can be found through the residence in the form of paneled doors,decorative door and window frames,wainscoting.and baseboards,as,well
as pine and oak wood plank flooring. The main acce.s to the second store,a return stair with a landing,exhibits a series cif turned balusters
that forin a delicate balustrade that ends on floe ground floor with a decorative capped near!post_ The front entry features ornate cornice
moldings and a door,which almost certainly date from the 1889 remodeling. The main parlor features distinctive historic lighting which
lends character and charm to the rxtm. On the ceiling is a hand-painted water-based fresco,also dating from the 1889-I S90 remodeling.
The kitchen features a simple tin ceiling.
GARAGE/STUDIO(1970s,non-contributini<buildinul
The property contains a ttyo-stony garage/studio which 14K:aiLd on the southeast portion of the landscaped yard. Built in the late 1970s,
this non-contributing modern building features a twice broken gable rcn)f with elcrestoty and sliding windows. Wide vertical and
horizontal clapboard siding finish the emenor of the first stom.while the second stunt'is finished in heavy cedar,hakes. An exterior
staircase providing access to a second stun entrance is present on the west elevation The rcwif is finished in:asphalt shingles
INTEGRITY
i he l etc:: I lofts retaiats,i c•cn•high le%'el cif intcgn►y Remnants of the original 1881 destp are clearly evident,as are the ettixts of
I etci� ,lrunatic I K;i`)-l8`>i1 rctntxleling The tkorkmansNp and materials from this latter era are all ven well preserved. Desigm
.tiler all,iris have been limited to the non-character-defining elevations-including a new doau and window opening.„n the rear elevation,a-s
will us tw,v skylights and asph;dt-shingles on the ny,l The main change it,the primar% taca.le is the addition of a Shed-rcxlfed dcn1111.3
above the entn The date of construction„l thls, feallite t,tinkn,mlt,hilt pn ibah1V dates to the teen+or twenties Despite these chanoe5.
the N'ti'C cJearly rellvet,it,historic charactt.-r;and appearance
Although the site has suffered to-,time degree.c-,pec►ally from the c<,ttStnlctn,n ofa non-contrihulntg outbuilding it:the I:de I the
h►storic tesidcntial suing and feeling of the neighborhood is a1SO yen much Intact 'thus,there is;]clear cord once,11'Ole Ili:to;..
as.+x;rted with(lie prol"criv and Its original'mnet_Samuel I:ettl.
L-e%%Is.Samuel,I Iou,e t iallatt_n Comity. Montana
Name of Property County and Stale
H. Statement of Significance
ApplicaLle Ndiional Register Criteria A, 11,and C Areas of Significance Community Planning and Development:
lahnic 1 Ieritage/Black.Architecture
Cntena Considerations(Exceptions)-n/a Penod(s)of Significance 1881-1896
Significant Person(s):Samuel Lewis Significant Dates 188 l; 1889-90
Guttural Affiliation-Atiican-i\merican AichdectBwlder- Unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance
The Samuel W Lewis house qualifies for National Register listing under criteria A.B.and C_ The house is historically significant for its
association with Roxeman's steady,economic and demographic evolution during its 1873.1883 Village Phase;of development.' The house-
-which was completely remodeled during the dramatic building boor that accompanied an ambitious local bid to become die State
Capitol--is also highly indicative of Bozeman's 1884.1912 Civic Phase of Development.' RetlLcting broad patterns of architecture and
settlement in each pivotal era,the Samuel Lewis house qualifies ror National Register listing according to critenan A. The propem•alew
meets criterion H for its association with the Samuel W. Lewis.the most prosperous and influential member of a small African-Amencan
population in early Bozeman. Lewis had a marked influence in the c:ommunit_y s growth and development between 1868 and 1896. As
such,the house is a vital reminder of Bozeman's earl'ethnic history. Finally,the residence qualities for National Register listing tinder
criterion C,as an unusual example of an Early Classical Revival Style gable-front-and-wings house remodeled into an outstanding example
of the Queen Anne Style with Eastlake duc:urattve delails, Arehitecturally.the house also parallels Hozeman's late-nineteenth century
growth and development from a more mmiest and essentially vernacular built environment to one which is far more stvlisticully
sophisticated. The house:is one of very few buildings in Bozeman to display Fasilake embellishments,and is unquestionably the best local
example of this stylistic influence
The Earl% Life of Samuel Lewis
Samuel Lewis was burn in the West Indies,May 11), 1832.and immigrated with his parents to Newark,New.Jersey,when still a small
child. By 18.17,both ofhis parents died,leaving L ewis and a younger sister,L•'dmonia. Upon securing a home tar his sister in the family of
Captain S. R Mills and paying her tuition at schvxil, Lewis traveled to California in the Spring of 1852.where he successfully practiced
barbenng and mining for a decade, Between 1862 and 1864,Levyis visited various cities and other points of interest in Europe,the West
Indies and Amenea before settling in Idaho City, Idalo,where he engaged in bustnrss and developed properties'
Hollowing a devastating fire,which consumed two of his Idaho City bwldings,Lew is toured Montana Temtor in 1866. Adler visiting
Virginia Cit} and I lelena.Lewis finally located at Ilk Creek,where lie purchased a lot and erected a building Inter that}'ear,however,he
changed his Residence to 11clena,where he was engaged in business until late 1.967 During his tenure in i ielena,Lewis also opened a
barber shop in Radersburg,traveled anti worked his trade tit other mining camps,and toured as-an expeti slight.of*hand performer and a
fin[class niusician_"
Although far away li'orn his sister,Lewis contumcd to pay her educational expenses, first at McGra%vvillc.New York,and atienvard at
Oberlin College.OhiO While at Oberlin,FAmonut first showed promise as a seulptor and was encouraged to Cultivale her talent in that an
'!cure+R MCDOMald.Lt wr tin 11lntow Roourcr sm-n el( Printed- 12 and 13.1.,
'16u1. I:rtJ 51-2t7
')+aryrun�Gll�r,:1u Ilhrstrued 1ltiun.+t`the xt.ttc +1.thnuan.t i C'luc:rbu Itrr I eau.[bbhslunF,(.'+, i xvi i, 1'a_?y
NPS Form 10-900-i OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-86)
United Statcs Departni ii( 4 the Inn•ri,jr
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 3 Lewis.Samuel,House Page 1
Gallatin Countv, Montana
She accordingly consulted tier brother by letter.and he cordially entered into the plait mid lurnished her the mean,,with which to go to
Boston,where she placed herself under the instruction of an eininent sculptor,Professor Beckett Stx)n passing beyond 134-ekett's ability to
instruct her,Samuel Lewis then 14mished his-sister the means to continue;her studies in Italy where,thanks to the assistance of then
Secretary of State William H. Seward,she received marked attention and sown became a master of her profs iston_'
Word of Lewis fatuous sister did not escape local notice. In September of 1874.the Aymtt Courier noted that F'dmonia Lewis'now-
famous sculpture the Death of Cleopatra was on display at the Chicago Exposition_' By 1894, Fdmonia Lewis was a resident of Paris and
was"known the world over its a famous sculptor "producing"many noted pieces of arl.""
Samuel L.c•wis and Bozeman'r Townsite Phase
Samuel Lewis'arrival in BotzLman in the aututnn of 1868 coincided with the cominwiAv's so-called 1864-1872 Toa-nsite Phase of
development.' As the pentd of local development immediately following the origination of the to%vn site, Bozeman's initial phase was
characterized by the early development of an agricultural economy As early as Se-plumber of 1864,the Montana E'ost reported that the
&ozeman area Was gradually being reshaped by the settlement of tarniers,"many of whom came to Montana as a better class of miners and
allcr_ quitting their original pursuits secured 160 aeres of land on which they,, work in tnie fanner fashion-'"' As early resident Witham
Alderson's diary noted,(br example.farmers carve to the Bozeman area 'expecting to make money,"and most were not disappointed.."
Valley residents sixin marketed potatoes,beets.carrots,rutabagas and parsnip,in the mirung ciunps they had formerly occupied. Within a
few years,fanning expanded to include the cultivation of wheat,oats and barley. f he roots of one of the eanccst and inost successful
aln-icultural communities in the Rocky Mountain Wc-st had been planted."
The latter Fears of 134.)ieman-s Towitsite Phase were marked by Bozeman's firs)sigllificant local building hoom--a development that
possibly served to attract Lewis to die area and almost certainly anchored him here for the:rest of his life. A year and a half prior to Samuel
Lewis amval in Bozeman,local pioneer Davis Willson.younger brother ol(iencral Lester Willson,described the c(imniunity as-a small
'Edrnonia[tesis became,me of tlic moss tmportant Afrt%=,Xineriwn Sculptors of the ninelcenth ccnlury. Scveral works hasa addressed
her lik and w+qk.including:Lleanor Jl.Tutts,"Edmtana L %6% MnAndian Neu-Clacvuul."�g in Amm: F:A(July-August, 197.1) 71.72:I.mn
Mood}•Igoe,ZS(1}-Cab ibliutsayhv i Nov fork:R R.Knuk%:r 19R 1).999.905...-Free Wi-hm(7urs Ire-s."'
Sivilliwnian 1-4_8,(Noecrnbet 1993 y 146.Kirsten 1'.lluick."n%:wal W47rk%of Filinonia Lewis:Invoking and!mening AuRthiographi,"'
,-111rrumn:Vt 9 2(Summer 1995)-5-19:anti,Sicphrn Stay."Ilk,Ob)ed;ri Elam,",Siniihsariian 27 6(s,,picmher 19961: 16-'_ll
Want Couner,sepicnd)er:n. 1$78
'Stiller IX94.375
'McDonald 1')N4. 11 .11HI 15-3 1
"(luoh!d+n M L Wilson.' he E`.eolulr.ur 4d'\loutan.1 inks LArly Perini,'-lIrm xrltncs ofihc xltss+sstpp+3'allc_E istnncal
Vuyctanon for 11)1�-1 H 18.7(19I 7-191')1 4 31-43 4
"Witham.lildo nt"Witham.Alders.rn Dwrc,-Manus:npi Culumion,47fJ%.IlurLm,anie til+ertal Collcmions-Rcnne I.thram \Amtaru
Stale I'nisenue.11w,11ran.Monlam
"For in omen icw.&.gvicullutal&%el"hmrcnt ni the region sec NIJ-wlltsun,'14k:Peulut+un.+f\Lml.11m Agri.ulturc to it,V.xle Petrol."
Prixesdnte,.•+l the%ii_i�srnpi\'.ides I stoncal Axvw.:unlon fur 1915-I1)19 7(1`)17-1')) 411-43-1,Rotun t i 111nrdiar.11w fron,,mi.ix,celupaicni
-dihc(iallat+n Cal let'."I'tteilie Notrhw vt(htarltrIv 47 r lklohr 1')5i:): 117.123,and.%I,:h.rc) lhpcndett:y and DLsetdianehn.mait The
1•r+mber ntcsts;utJ.lirieullural Ikrciupancnt to dw(iallann Vallo.Jlonctna 1180-I)(93,199.3"1141014raps l l:s.d with prrniission of the auihor.
l iil/e7rt:trt,�I.att:ma
NPs Form 10.900-a OMS Approvat No. 1024-0018
(8-96)
united State% Department of the Interitrr
National Park Sea ice
National 'register of I- istoric Places
Continuation Sheet
.',,ccutm!umber 8 Lewis,Samuel,l foww Page
Gallatin County.Montana
town ofhalf a dozen buildings."" With the e.tablislunent of Fort Ellis,du'ee mules east of t(mm,on August 27, 1867,however,Bozeman':
future brigltened. Not only did the ForCs presence bring increased security to the Gallatin Valley, it also provided numerous profitable
business opportunities for local residents and likewise helped to offset the tx:unumic losses from the region's stabilizing mining
population." As a result,by I868,the year of Lewis arrival,Bozeman had become the county seat and g*rrnvn to it population of 150,with
fluty dwellings,three stores,a hotel,a grist mill,a blacksmith shop,and two sal(xins. Ordy two Fears later,Bozeman numbered 574
people,while Gallatin County boasted a total population of 1,578 By the end of Bozeman's first significant building boom,the town had
evolved li-om-a dozen log cabins" in 1907 to a thriving community of roughly 800 residents only four year.lister"
13ozeman's Tow•thsite Passe was also marked b% the cstablishn►ent of a small,but influential population of local Afiican Americans.
Following the close ofthe Civil War,a steads•trickle ol'blacks pushed westward seeking new opportunities. Enlightemed whites. like Jolla
Martin,editor of the Atchison(Kansas)C'hainpion,encouraged the trend in January of 1&i5,asserting "Give the Negro a chance to make
a man of himself Treat him as a human being turd he will quickly assert by his own capacities and exertions his right to be regarded as
one"" Following the approval of the Territorial Suffrage Act on January 31, 18(i7, Black ilhales in western territones--includmg Nlontana-
-achieved voting nght:-t at least three yeiu•s before the ralitication of the Fifteenth,4mendment. That same rear.for example,two hundred
black men cast ballots in tht:Montana territorial elmthun of 1867 " According to United State Census figures,a total of 183 blacks lived in
the Territary by 1870 la
The Montatia Territorial Census listed Samuel Lewis as one of two blacks and three mulattos living in Bozeivan in 1870_ That year,Lewis
established a thriving tonsorial bustncss and capitalized on the significant gro%klh and development that characterized Bozeman's late
Townsite phase. From the proceeds of this succLysiul venture.Le\yis exerted a profowid and lasting influence on Bozeman's built
envirornnent. Only two years after his amval,Lcwrs'personal estate was vtdued at$500,indicating that he was unquestionably the most
prosperous black living in Bung lean and was likely far wealthier than most whites as well." 1 Its 1996 obituary recalled thut Lewis
"intelligently and generously invested all his savings to permanently improving and heautiF°ing st me piece of ground tyitiin the limits of
the city."=a Such mdusin was most significantly expressed in Bozeman's 1873.1883 Village Phase ot'Development and, later,its I894-
1912 Civic Phase of Development.
"Davis Willson Diary September 9, 1 SGfi \IC V 10761lurhngartte speetat Collecuorts.ltenne t-ibrarv.Montana state univ�rsrty—
F'uamtn Nizeman,monuum-
10
"\ternll(i nurtingame.l iallattn C�ittrns's Herilaec: a Centun of Prn ��s Oloiem:m.Gallatin Count) HiLvntcrunal ruhhcalton,1976 t
"r-kktAirt-v1d 1994. 1201
'"'rlte tlu-•tauun i+hrnn QUIntanl U-1ol. orlhe Racial Fr-lniter i des+York ty W.Norton and Curnpany. 199N I•io3
'�Ibid.125.
"Sec I .S Bureau ofncc Census,New,I'npulalnm in the 1 naed States. t 1y,t_shinoon.I)c Ooserranent Printing,(1llice.
191 x I.31.44.and I S.nurcau"risk C ett�tts.Slat stto loofa:P"mulahon of th.t'nUed`tat�,r R70 l Wit hrnglon.11 C .(loverntrrenl prttgmg t lino.
"Sec Nlont.mt'IanGxral Cart u.Iia Ir741.p 112 hm: lr, Ile to.tl Nalucorpemmil..Ld h.lcd I'tr Ii vernan to Ix74)w;t.519,715
lLu.,1�srs pcm1mil estate.vtmlxt..rd•.IiUhllt,nwre that 15 perrcatt"rift,llmn,s fobs. II's ttonh rnstlui;Ihat marl hxwal rsidcnts did riot a'rn tt,w
I nuntivr listed in this:alejpvy and a Icts,such as NOwu Stun Sr had per.unal.wt.tte's♦.t{u.d al..c.r:d tlt,nt.-tnd dullan the engdotnlent urotdt
-roc other h13.k s.ac It.tcd in the I V7ti anus,and ihm was ot•'duntccsuc scrnant
`°"I howaph.of dtc Rvern.m Ilarhet" hams confiner•.lprtl 0., I V A,
NPS iornt 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-86)
Unilcd States Department of the Interior
National Park tiers ice.
National Register of IHf istoric IPlaces
Continuation Sheet
Section number S Lewis,Samuel,I loose Page 3
Gallatin Connrv.Montana
Samuel Lewis and Btvrnian'x Village Phase
'lire Fears of earl'settlement,during which Bozeman had grown to a town of approximately eight hundred resident~,were followed by a
decade of continued growth and rising expectations The"Village Phase-represents for Bozeman the beginnings of urbanization,and
culminated in the arrival of the transcontiiwnlal railroad and the incorporation of the City. Dunng this pencxi,Bozernaii s ec:onumic base
became secure enough to sustain more permanent structures,including churches,sehcx-)(s, and other public buildings. following the 1872-
73 construction of Bozeman's first masom structure--the Cooper-Black building at 118-122 East Drain Street--thc community w'rtrtessed
the construction of several brick Victorian Commercial buildings on Main Street,which affirmed Bozeman's status as an established
regional trade enter='
The relatively otptunistic growth and development of conunercal enterprises in this era is illustrated by the experience of Samuel Lewis
Shortly after his an'ival in Bozeman,Levers erected a new business house on Main Street and by November of 1874,the:Avant CsiuIlq
noted that the barber had renovated his salon.which was"ale'ay'a in apple pie order
Lewis also exerted a considerable influence in local residential development during Bozeman's Village Phase. By Nove rnbc,T of 1878,he
had established himself in Bozeman enotiplt to begin work on building"two neat cottages-on Templar(now 209 and 211 South Tracy
Avenue),nearly opposite residence of Dr G. W. Munroe.` Following popular Icx:al building trends.Lew is'small but notable cottages
were off ane construction and feantred Gothic ornamentation,such its rooftop cresting and finials,baluctraded entries.and polygonal bays
with paneled window aprons. Byron Vreeland—the talented local architect-builder who was later responsible for such notable structures as
the original County CourthuUSC(HMO)-,the Foist Side`school(18M2.83);and the C.it%I l fall and Opera House(11149-IN)i--was eventually
empluyexl"to finish the new cottages of S W. Lewis Upon completion,Lewis'rental cottages were occupied b% prominent local
citizens. the Reverend Lewis.incoming rector of Saint lathes Lpiscupal Church,and Judge S W Langlwrne.=s Oic of this pair of
originally identical, 1 x i baN.jerkin head roofed I-bourses still retains it_:original Victorian period detailing.2' By the Summer of 1880.
%-coos was in the process of erecting'another neat residence on'Templar"which featured the%J)Irst mansard roof in Bozeman
As the 18 70s came to a close:,Lewis was even far more obviously the most successfid person of color living in the Gallatin Valley
According to the temtunal census, 346,black or mulatto individuals were living in Montana in 1880. of these. 16 blacks and 5 mulattos
were listed as residing in Bozeman As might be expected,the occupations listed for Bozeman's black conunuruty were of the lower scut,
including servant, common labore7,hired man,laundress,firmer.and teamster.-" Most of theca:persons.li e Richard and N9arr:
"McDonald 1984.1-?.
"A*ant Courier,Xovoi0w 13, I N 74.
:"%t:mi Councr,`oveniN r 7, 1979
"Scc kI:I7`ma44 1994..41 1.and.%caul C.Mirm,June I:•19 79
'Avail)VINUICr.Jul}'%I.{rt7li shut.%raid Cuuner,NO%C1111Wr 27, 1te7'1
'�5.:I'uuai tit.nex I).�+:arttnent ui'th:Lltcrior Nalumal)'art,ticni;.�."lhshtin.Ht�ntrc:h �f H.vnn:ul,11..nta�u.":t.hK anJ>t.�w
Avani Gnint June 17, 1Rxn,and %cant cm a.Jul% '-'-. 1xxo
'ryd4 t emtonal C.nuis o now.r ;r19,;lino:b and Ihroughoul tlw pugs.rd.d.a ro f iowem,at
NPS farm 10.900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-56)
United State. Department of the Interior
Natimial Park Sen ice
National Register- of I'listoric Places
Continuation Sheet
secton number 8 Lc%vis,Samuel,House Page-f
Gallatin County,)Montana
McDonald,who resided near Lewis' rentals at 309 South'Craca',were former slaves Among,these pc-crs,the successful mulatto barber
from die Nest Indies clearly stcw,d out.
liv about 1880.Bozeman was becoming increasingly optimistic that the Northern Pacific Railroad would scxin connect the community with
the eastern states As might he expected,numerous additions were sur yt-yed in anticipation ofthe growth the long-awaited transcontinental
would trigger. One of die first of these was the Lindltw's and Guy's Addition,which was platted in April of 1880.
In 1881,1•ewis purchased Lots 10 and 11.Block A from Lindley and Guy aria!began construction of his residence at 308 south Bozeman
Avenue As onginalh•constnicted.Lewis property expressed a somewhat modest gable-front-and-wings form featuring a polygonal front
l>ay with paneled wuidow•;aprons. Lewis' business,fi)ur rentals and dwelling were featured in an full-page etching in Lcesan's 1885
1 iston of Montana,as was a lengthy biography--gtwd indications that the property and its industrious owner were quttc prosperous and
well-renowned near die end of Liuzcman's Village Phase.''
The Samuel Lewis House and Btrzeman's Civic Phase
Bozeman's 1984-1912 Civic Phase of Development brought numerous cilbrts at cultural refinement as well as ec onoouc and demographic
stabilization. The arnval of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 connected the region widi markets in the thriving mining cunununitit:s of
Butte and Anaconda-as well as seycral of Montano.niiliiary installations and Indian reservations -l�us advancement bolstered expectations
of prospenty among local farmers,merchants arid manufacturers,and led to the city's incorporation later that same year.
An I Wt bird•eye view of BoLer atui documents the impact that the coming of the railroad had on heal growth and development. Residential
neighborhoods stretched sexual blocks on either side of Main Street and neat,house-sized,tacks of lumber--c yidence of a thriving construction
industry--are clearly evident in several locations. In the Lindley's and f iuy's Addition alone,no leas that fourteen houses,including Sanitiel
Lewis',were built m iust four%cars."
Local optimism waned somewhat in the mid 1880s until Muntana's 1889 attainment of statchtxal served as impcuue for a second, far more
pivotal surge in local development. Following local trends,Lewis began a substantial remodeling of his South l3ozeman Avenue residence
in approximately 1889. The wealthy barber and propem'owner traisformed the house inn i a fine example of the Quec-n Arne St\le and applied
exuberant:aid fanciful crrihLllishmt.'rits u-ith dtstinctiye F,'asllnke t nzuumt.�rttrttiort,incluchng c.0�ed wexxl brackets,turned;!+rch.�llatrnn.,p:unrlcd
bargekN►ards,abacus-like spmdlc friezes,lattice work.and sanNirst applique enrichment
Although virtually nonemsttent as a st\listic influence on other buildings in Bozeman,the Eastlake Style was cspt:cially popular in the San
Francisco arecu, wsliefe Lewis had resided in the 1850s fxwls'remodel inav have also been substatitialh influenced by the Victonan Art
Movement which, by the I?l60s had been popularized to the cktcnt that Charles Fasiluke's I Rifts on I fon-ehctld Taste became a best-seller,
running a full six editions in Amenca alone. Edmotia Lewis' probable aswlciaton with the growing Aesthetic Movement ma% also hale
influenced the tasters other less famous brother
°Sec"`.In. Fisher Tell.Faintly lh>ton,heft has Main Fa111+1,'IlcrrhN!m,," Iltc t;.Mam f rAnn+c and Iiclt34do Journal. lugud
3. and.i moiie N' nwntlx..»t,"F:arty\itmliura N,:po Pnmacn smog.md t nun►:"\I nitaua]kr�u��>Doan l I(Junarict 19721
"Sec X1101ael A I V%on.I IrA,n ar\1tiidj a:1739-1XRS 1Chriag>.w'.1111:r,Hcc+s and C,yr:pam. 11W) 254.rod 1 141 1 :%%is nu% Mc
1hr+ml�nttit•achuc[.attired m 1�ti•,nn-s I lrxttrn F+�r caWin,n+��tm of cnlar t�fc.uurtid nlnrc pronun�yuh
"Nw) 1.Motim"thirds Hp¢1•iew e1 Itw.ancut.\Ion..I MX4.County ticat Al iallatut Cocirtn,'pr:.crded ax%a wppival of t"dw \s.u!t
NPS Form 10.900•a CMS Approval No. 1C24-0018
(8-86)
United Stater Department of the Interior
National Park Sen ice
National Register of Historic ;Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Lewis.Samuel.I louse k'agc
Gallatin County.Montana
Thus,in all likelih(x)d,Lewis's decision to favor the hcav y.three-dimensional decorative elements of the Eastlake Stele was a conscious attempt
to evoke an urban grandeur and sophistication.while also communicating a certain status not conveyed by the more modest and vernacular
ungnnal struc ttrc'= In I SIM.Lewis completed his"handstxric and urtunt4otis brick residence,fronting on Boo7eman Street,"with its"beautif'ut
lawn and shade trees' which,according to Miller's An Illustrated HistopuQojto State of Montana, formed-one uf'the most delightful homes
in the city."
Not Surprisingly,lxwis's substantial improvements came at a time when the City of Bozemauu as a whole was undergoing a dramatic face-lift
dtuing its ambitious 1889-1893 bid to become the Slate Capital in an effort to impress Montana voters belbre an 1892 special election,area
promoters aggressively set out to transform Bozeman into a more cosmopolitan urban cmironment. Local residents erected several prominent
public and private buildings in the years immediately following the declaration of statchood.including the impressive City Hall and Opera I louse
(1890).the Gothic-stvled Saint James Episcopal Church(1890-91),the r3ozeman i lotel(1891-92),and the Gothic-style City I tigh Sch(x)l(c.
1892) Notable luc: residences such as the Julia Martin I kouse(1892)at 419 South Grand Avenue were also erected in this piunod."
Besides these aspirin!proiects, Bozeman also witnessed other significant steps toward soplu ticalion betwccrt 1889 and 1892 Comtuu ity
boundaries were officially extended into surruwidtng farmlands in an effort to make the town look larger on paper than it was in actuality.
"Capitol Hill Addition"was platted in 181A).aril Soup Eighth Avenue was laid out im a boulevard leading up to the intended site of the capitol.
Electric lights were installed on the City's main thoroti&`ares in 1891 and an extensive 14.vak streetcar service was established the fulluwing
year. A new brick passenger depot was also constnteted by the Northern Pacific Railroad at 829 Front Street in 1892.c`
Although Bozeman lost its bid for the capital to Helena.local residents were not discouraged following their defeat. The contest attracted a
great tleal of favorable attenuon io Bozeman and the money spent was by no means wasted. Evidence 'supporting this conclusion can be found
in the fact that Rozeman',;populutiun increased from 2.143 to 1890 to 4,000 by the time the capital question yeas settled,,just two years later
Such dramatic growth enabled Bozeman to quickly become one of the leadtitg cities of the state and almost certainly had an influence in
I3ozeman's selection as the site of'the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Art:in 1893.
Wlwn Samuel Lewts died in late March of 1896,tits lengthy obituary in Bozeman's Avant Couner emphasized his unusual accomplishments,
especially fior a person of color. Perhaps struggling to explain the profound influence of a mulatto man.the Courier noted that -Although he
was generally known as 'the colored barber' Sam Lewis was very much of a white man He was white in his entire make up-physically,
socially,intellectually,morally-ark the best citizen,of-Rozeman were his tum friends and constant patrons," The newspaper went on to note
that Lewis had"abvays home a troll citizens put in all the material struggles and burdens incident to the development tit the counUT's resources
wid the permanent growth and beautifying ot'our 1vautifill little oily" At the time of his death,Lewis' estate was estimated to be w•onh at least
$25,(x)0--a fortune unparalleled by other persons uf,-Vncan decent living in Bozeman at that time,and,quite likelt.Montana as a wh olc.`'
"lice Hhtwic tt volian and Gallatin counh.Montana A Selt'(iujwc,¢7,1111,"lux�xnh 11u,cmaa-l'lil1.
NI I)4Lr.k Strah,t"IS,+t MLI %111i1(i,r the Capdad,"Ll,NA;e Prew.rv:dims\Cac..Sumnar Fall 1994. 1
"Ibid. 1.2
'Sac"na,waphN„I dw Ik+nnun Harher tiara W Foci. i 6s renurk,ohic 1'.Y.+1ul Ilia,.% I,Ic and I kadi d a l of oral
Rrierric wa'rC I tiyi.,rt- ��aut('iut,cr i IG+nmutl.April f,, I x r,,2
MPS form 10-000-a OMB Approvat No. 1024.0018
t8-86i
United Slates Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National ]Register of Historic ](Maces
Continuation Sheet
Section noniber S Lewis,'Samuel,House Page h
Gallatin County.Montana
Architectural Significance:
The Samuel Lewis I louse is an outstanding exxtiple of the Queen Anne Stele with Eastlake decorative details wahin the context of l3n7eman'
historic architecture:. The Bozeman 1 listoric Resource:Survey (1984)evaluated approximately 3000 buildings within the original townsite
boundaries. The survey report identified two residential examples of the Queen Anne Style with Eastlake details when comparing residential
architecture with the"exxube-rant"commercial architLeture of Main Stmel. The Lewis I-louses Eastlake details are more pronounced than the
tither example(George Flanders House)and is today,the finest example of the style remaining in Bozeman
Ilse heavv,uve:rsize d elements characteristic of Eastlake ornamentation are especially evident in the entrN porch and front gable. The wood
turned pasts of the porch are deeply cut. The lov, spring point of the arch adds to their squat,stocky appearance. Other conanion features of
Eastlake rnnamentation are Ire oversivW abacus-like.spindle wotk in the fivnt gable,the deeply re cesscd panels of the barge boards.the rounded
rafter tails.and the double-hung windows with stained glass transoms,and the stylized carved%void brackets at the canted comers.
The house gain additional architectural significance for the retention ol-ltistonc interior features I'liese:include:oninnal woodwork throughout
the hook in the tbrrn of paneled decors.decorative dour and window frames,wumscvung,and baschoards,as well as pine and oak wood plank
floonng- I1ic main accem to the second story,a return stair with a landing,exhibits a series of turned balusters that tiirm a delicate balustrade
that ends on the ground fluor i%ith a decorative capped newel post. The front entry features ornate cornice moldings- The main parlor retains
a distinctive hand-painted water-based fresco,dating from the I889-IS90 remodeling.
1,0%is,'Samuel. I louse Gallatin Count%-,'itonlana
Name of Property County and State
9.Major Bibliographic References
See continuation sheet
Previous documentation on file(NPS): Primary Location of Additional Data:
preliminary determination of individual listing(36 GFR 67) has been ?�State Historic Preservation Office
requested. _other State agency
previously listed in the National Register _Federal agency
_previously determined eligible by the National Register _Local government
_designated a National Historic Landmark _Unrversrty
recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey p _Other—Specify Repository:
recorded by Historic American Engineering Record Y
10.Geographical Data
Acreage of Property: Less than one
UTA1 References: Lone )Fasting Northing
12 497420 5057800
Legal Location(Township,Range&Sectlonis)):Section 7,T0%v iship 2 South, Range 6 East,M.E'_L
Verbal Boundary Description
The Samuel Lei%is Howse is located on Lots 10 and 11,Block A.Lindley's and Guy's Addition-Bozeman,Montana
Boundary Justification
The bowiddly is drawn,ba>ui on legally recorded lot lines,to include the two lids historical1v associated with the Samuel Lewis House;.
11. Firm Prepared By
name,'tiue 13 Derek Strahn
organization: City Historic Preservation Officer dale December 1998
street 8 number 20 East Olive telephone 4(ki-582.2372
cityortown Bozeman state LET zip code: 59771
Property Oiv ner
name-titie: Dr. Richard D and Eileen-I-enncv
street is number 426 Fallon Ntre t lelephore
city or tam W'„II'Point state rip aide -;011-;
MPS Form 10-900-a OM8 Approval No. 1024-0016
(8.M)
United Stater Department o,f the Interior
National Park Sen ice
National I&Negister of 'Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section numher I i? Lewis,Samuel,house fags: I
Gallatin County,Montana
Primary Sources:
Alderson,William "William Alderson Diary"&tanuscript Collection#708,Burlingame Special Collections,Rune Library,Montana State
University,Bozeman,Mlontana.
LT. S. Bureau of the Census Statistics of the Population of the Canted States, 1870. Washington,D.C_: Government Printing Office, 1872
U.S.Bureau of the Census._b'ep-o t'opulation in the United.States, 1790-191.5 Washington,D,C : Government Printing Office, 1918
t1nited State Departrnunt of the Interior, National Park Service "1 listoric Resources of Bozeman.Montana."Washington.D.C.. Government
Printing(Alice, I9R7
Wilson,M. L."The Evolution oC Montana Apiculture in Its Early Period"Proceedings of the.Uisstssippi l a11ev Historical:association for
191.5-1918 7(1917-1919).431-434.
Willson,Davis. "Davis Willson Diay" September 9, 1866. MC It 1076 lurlingame Special Collections, Rcnne Library,Mlontarm State
University—Bozeman Bozeman.Montana.
New3imners:
.-avant(Airtrier Bozeman.Montana. 1874-1880, 1896.
Secondary Sources:
Bradbury.Bruce. "flow to he Utterly Utter, The Aesthetic:Movement in England and America." ()1t111o(cseJotu7iol Auguq-Sc3otcmher,1984,
14.1-1,19.
Buick, Kirsten P "The Ideal Works of Edmonta Lewis: Invoking and Inverting Autobiography- America -err 9:2(Summer 199-5),5-19.
Burlingame,Merrill G Gallatin C oriorn-'s Heritage:A C'entwt•of Progress. l3oveman Gallatin County Hicentennial Publication, 1976
Dunbar. Robert G "The Economte Detelopment of the G211aiin Valley"Puc,/ie Nt' rtlm,,•vi C),,.rrhv'JV.-t' i OCtobei• l')3h j, 1 17-12
-"Free Within C)ursclyes"'.S,rtrthsuntetn 24 8(November 1993),146
Fricker,Jonathan •'I ouisiana rlrcliiteclure: 1'lte Eastlake SIN—le-Pi servatturr in Print Sclncmhcr 14. 190- 14-l
1lestoric lit,zetriun and(;a1l trot('ma)n-. _thmiana A.Self uit4-d Tort.- "i(A South Bozeman " 1io/ernam N.kmtanu n.p.19K 3
Igoe.Lynn M4xxIv '50 ) m.s t,[;afr•„-.lwericon.Irt:An.InpootatrtlWhlrt„(rcrphi ties York R R 13 «l,.cr 111:41
Ix-c-am, Mlic:hiwl A.,csl llrstut} a/',tb,nttrna. 1739-18,10. Chicago Warner,liccrs and Co . IN 5
,McDonald,James R. Bo errtan 11(swr(c.-Re.iotime Srtn•es' Missoula,Montana Priyatcly Pruned. 1984
MPS Form 10-900-a 0MB approval No. 1024-0019
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interi4or
National Park Service
National ' register- of J :listoric ](daces
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Lewis.Samuel,house Page 2
Gallatin County.Montana
May.Stephen "The(yb)ect at l lanes-Srrnthsoruas 27.6(September 1996),16-20.
Meader,Michael."Ik.pendencc and Disenfranchisement The Frontier Thesis and Agricultural Development in the Gallatin Volley.Montana
1863-1893, 1993" [Photocopy]Used with permission of the author,Bozeman,Montana_
Miller.Joaquin. .-1 n Illustrated History of the State of ilontana. Chicago:The Lewis Publishing Co_, 1894
Smutr.J. W. '.-rim Crow Out West."in historical E-ssa.vi orr.11ontaria and the \orthx•est. IMena: Western Historical Press, 1957
Strahn,B. Derck. "&Wcman's Bid i'or the Capital "Heritage Preservation News.exs. Sumnter/Fall 1994, 1-2.
Taylor,Quintard. In Search of the Racial Frustierr.-1 jncarr.-1 rnericans in the.-lnrencan West. 13-18-1990. New York: W. W Norton and
Company, 1991S
Tufts.Elanor v1 -Ednioriia Lewis:Afro-Indian Nco-Classicist",(rt ht:I snerica 62:4(July-August. 1974),71-72.
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