HomeMy WebLinkAbout124-126 E Main 1985 I �
MONTANA HISTORICAL AND "1 r
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site# V ,�
Legal Description: Original Townsite Lots E13' of 6 & W 13' of 7/Blk B
Address• 124-126 Last Main -
Ownership:name: Allied Manufacturing, Corp.
C pubic address: Box 794 Roll# I I Frame# lr�
{ r Historic Name: Saunders Building
1 [] /� („f �/ "� Common Name: IInknf)wn
1 Pl /� f'� 1 [ice ❑ estimated
Date of Construction: 1424 documented
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Architect, Fred F. Willson
T 7 Builder: linknown
Q j ► Original Owner: Guy F. Saunders
M1 Original Use: Tailor and dry cleaning
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Present use: !^On1mPr['l a 1 Structurp
Research Sources:
1 I r 1 T ❑ abstract of title ❑ city directories
I ❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewer/water permits
1 t++ I W I I ❑ tax cards ❑ ooituarles
_LL,,4 ~ � El building permit El biographies
R) Sanborn maps—dates• 1927
1 w r+ `� I l Bibliography:
I > � I Willson Job List
Oral interview with Wilbur Saunders on
/1_/'� July 25, 1983
Location map 4 dtd� n ia rownorth-
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 attached two-story-commercial structure has a rectangular plan with an
elaborate polychromatic design set into the facade, a metal awning over the
storefront entrance, and a marble base under the storefront. The asymmetrical
facade consists of a central front entrance with storefront windows and a
stained glass , transomed side entrance to the upper level , set under a brick
archway. The patterned multi-colored brick features five double-hung 1/1
windows on the second story with a light-brick outline and a continuous granite
sill . The central parapet of the roofline features the building name set in
granite block. The foundation is not visible, and the flat roof is covered
with built-up materials, and sits perpendicular to the street.
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HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/site
and surrounding area lend the property significance.
This property is significant because it is associated with a person important
in Bozeman history, Fred F. Willson. Son of General Lester S. Willson, an
early Bozeman pioneer, Willson was born in 1877 in Bozeman. He attended
Montana State College for two years and graduated from Columbia University
in architecture in 1902. He studied for two years abroad and upon his return,
Willson practiced with C. S. Haire in Helena and Butte. In his long practice
from 1910-1956, he designed many public, commercial and residential buildings.
This property was built for Guy F. Saunders and designed by Fred F. Willson.
Saunders, born in New Brunswick, settled in Bozeman in 1905, setting up a
tailoring and cleaning firm. Building this structure in 1924, Saunders
installed cake brick twelve inches thick on the west wall of the building
for additional fire protection from cleaning materials. Saunder's so continued
to run the business until 1959.
This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because.
of its historical associations and because of its architectural significance.
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.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name JAVrS P i, CCG',ALD ArICHITLCTS P.C. Acreage:
P. C. BUA 8163
Address: P. Quad:.
NIIISSOULA, M8NTANA 59807
GYR: UTM's:_
REVISED
Matthew A. Cohen
V, Sozemon. Montana
w !UI_v nrr'FMBER 1 PS5
124-126 E. Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, surveyor
One of the most outstanding buildings in the district for both its exceptionally
high integrity and overall architectural significance, this Fred Willson-designed
building retains one of the only two broad, multiple-light storefront transoms
in the district, which were once quite numerous (see 18 E. Main) .
Individual lights in the transom, each approximately three inches square, contain
graceful leading. Other notable features of the building include the ornate
stained glass door transom, the copper storefront trim and the decorative, poly-
chromatic brickwork overall , which is typical of the 1920' s. The corbelled,
round headed, brick surround of the door to the upper floor. (at the far west) ,
which is aesthetically unrelated to the facade, was surely intended by Willson
to continue the rythm of the striking, 11 bay arcade that originally spanned the
first floor of the adjacent building to the east, the Block Building (118 E. Main) .
The original building on this site, a small , 2-story, 3-bay brick building with
a similar stepped parapet and similar overall dimensions (shown in an 1872
photograph of Main St. ) may have inspired the design of this building.
This property is significant because it is associated with a person important
in Bozeman history, Fred F. Willson. Son of General Lester .S. Willson, as early
Bozeman pioneer, Willson was born in 1877 in Bozeman. He attended Montana State
College for two years and graduated from Columbia University in architecture in
1902. He studied for two years abroad and upon his return, Willson practiced
with C.S. Haire in Helena and Butte. In his long practice from 1910-1956,
he designed many public, commercial and residential buildings.
Bi bl iograpJy
Application for Sewer Connection, May 15, 1924, Guy F. Saunders
MSU Special Collections photograph file
Sources listed on inventory form
Fred F. Willson (job list, 1923, job #2308, "Store Building - Guy F. Saunders.
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