HomeMy WebLinkAbout201 S Third 1985 MONTANA HISTORICAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site
Legal Description: Park Blk 14/Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4
Address: 201 Soutl'1 3rd 1
Ownership:name: k1 1"bld
CK private address: 2904 Langol-r Roll N 47 Frame✓r 13
❑ public
5 E E Historic Name: UA*nflwn
+ 2 11 - Common Name: U-nknown
❑ estimated
� `________".� --� Date of Construction: 1883 Pq documented
Unknown
Architect
Builder Unknown
Original Owner: Frank L. Benepe
— + Original Use- Residence
— Residence (5 units)
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� 1-T R L r PresentUse�Research Sources:
r ❑ abstract of title ❑ city directories
I� plat records/maps tract sewerlwater permits
❑ tax cards C obituaries
r _
❑ building permit [biographies
❑ Sanborn maps—date$'
Bibliography:
Leesons - See attached sheet
Department of Sanitation
_J Avant-Courier-February 10, 1900
STREET
V C 1� ttt T R11uu .E CC T Ellsworth - See attached sheet
V .] M. Aldersons Tour
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structurelsite,then contrast and compare that with it's original appearance,
noting additions,alterations,and changes in materials.Discuss significant architectural features.
This detached two-and-one-half story 8-unit residence has a complex plan with
an open wrap-around front porch, a hipped roof side porch on supports, and a
turret located in the northwest corner. The two-bay facade is asymmetrical and
consists of an off-center front entrance with fixed and 1/1' double-hung windows
with stained glass. The frame construction is finished in bevel siding with
imbricated shingles in the gable ends and rests on a cut stone foundation with
concrete dovering. The gable roof is covered with cedar shingles and has a
hipped dormer and overhanging eaves, as well as a brick central chimney. The
axis of the main roof is parallel to the street.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structurelsite
and surrounding area lend the property significance.
This property is significant because the residence is associated with a person
important to Bozeman history, Frank L. Benepe. Born in Ohio in 1851, he came
west to Bozeman and in 1879 established an agricultural firm with A. J.
Davidson. The firm was dissolved in 1883 and he erected in 1885 a large
store and warehouse at 104 West Main for his business. In 1891, E. J. Owenhouse
joined the firm and the business combined under the name of Benepe and
Owenhouse. A hardware store under the name of Owenhouse continues today.
In the 1890s, Benepe remodeled his residence extensively at a different
location. The second story of the business at 104 West Main was connected
to the Oxford Hotel about 1900. In 1977 the building was sold by the Benepe
family for use as the "Downtowner Mall."
This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because
of its historical associations and because of its architectural significance.
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INTEGRITY: Assess the degree to which the structure/site,and surrounding area accurately convey the historical associations of the
property. .
The historic integrity of this property has been retained due to the survival
of original design and materials and continuity of use, setting and location.
INFORMATION VALUE: Explain how the extant structure/site may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use or construc-
tion.
None.
EAddres
PALL
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Acreage: — -
TRUCHITECTS P.C.
USGS Ouad Cluj
UTM's: -
AUG 1 �4 Ri VISrn
Matfhe','n A. Cohon
Bn7^rrmn, R9ant,,n:3
DULY-DEM0R!'R 1 5
Matt Cohen 201 S. Third
Revision 1985
One of Bozeman's most architecturally and historically significant houses, the
F.L. Benepe House was built in 1883 in the Italianate style, and completely
remodeled to the Queen Anne style around 1898. Frank L. Benepe was one of Bozeman's
most important late 19th and early 20th century entrepreneurs, running a large
implements and hardware business at 104 W. Main, as well as one of the most
prominent regional grain trading businesses. In 1883, this house, in its original
form, was one of Bozeman's finest, was the first construction in the Park Addition,
j and was the first house of note on S. Third Avenue that established the street
as one of the city's posh residential areas. Many other buildings were erected
in 1883, accompanying the arrival of the railroad.
Benepe served as Mayor of Bozeman from 1896 to 1898, and possibly earlier, at
which time he completely remodeled and enlarged the house. The 1898 bird's
eye view of the city shows the house in its present form, while the Avant Courier
of Feb. 10, 1900 gives the following account:
"Mrs. F.L. Benepe gives an 'at home' to her lady friends on Saturday afternoon,
the first social function to be held in the beautiful new home, over which
she presides, since it has been remodeled. It promises to be one of the
most elaborate occasions of the season. "
In 1909, after his daughter was married in this house, Benepe gave land adjacent
to it on W. Olive Street to his daughter and new husband, Dr. Jump, upon which
+ they built the Craftsman style 404 W. Olive.
By 1927, and through the 19301s, this building houses a fraternity known as
the Amigo Club.
See 104 W. Main (Main St. Historic District) for detailed history of Benepe's
business exploits.
Bibliography
Avant Courier, May 10, 1883, p.3.
Avant Courier, Feb. 10, 1900, p.3.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, March 28, 1983, p.7.
City Directories: 1916-17, p.45; 1927, p. 192.
Record of Water Service: Amigo House, June, 1939.
1
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Figure 93: The Frank L. Benepe residence as it appeared in 1885. (Leeson,
History of Montana, 1885. )
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� Figure 94: The Benepe res 1 dence became unrecogn I zab I y transformed by a success Ion
of renovations , including a spacious upper half—story at the
third level , Eastlake ornamentation, porches, dormers and turrets.
(ThP o st, 1908, Special Collections, M.S.U. Libraries.)
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