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Home My WebLink About107-11-113 E Main 1984 'MONTANA HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Sited Legal Description: Original Townsite Lots Portion of 2, all 3 & 4/Blk E Address: 107-111-113 East Main Ownership:name: Phillips Book Store Inc. C�J private address: Roll Frame N Box 280 82 21 Historic Name: Nevitt t s LIB R A R' Y ' Common Name: linVnnwn ❑ estimated 7I J Date of Construction: 1888 :] documented -.1 Architect: -- [ - I-* _ l c T( T--� Builder: lInknown I Q i I Original Owner: William M. Nevit MOriginal Use:Vacant, hardware and Present Use: } t Research Sources: ❑ abstract of title I � city directories 1 . Ti ❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewer/water permits I ❑ tax cards ❑ obituaries El-i ' I building permit ❑ biographies L L r ❑ Sanborn maps—dates L.Li w r^ Bibliography: !� i PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structure/site,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 square plan with an inset front entrance and projecting rectangular bay to one side with an entrance to the upper floors. The symmetrical facade has aluminum storefront windows and a central entrance, as well as the side entrance through the extended bay. The original arched windowsin the upper level have been infilled with brick and aluminum sliding windows. There are cut stone designs over the window arches and a continuous stone sill form a band across the building. The brick construction has been painted and has a flat built-up roof. 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 to Bozeman history, William Nevitt. An early Main Street businessman, William M. Nevitt established a hardware shop between Bozeman and Rouse Avenues on Main Street. Following a fire in 1887 , Nevitt rebuilt in 1888 at 107-113 East Main. In 1901, Nevitt built another business block, "The Gallatin" at the southwest corner of Bozeman Avenue and Main Street. A dry goods shop "The Faire" occupied the street level space for many years. This structure qualifies as a contributing element within a potential historic district due to its association with the commercial aspect of the Civic Phase of Bozeman 's historic/architectural development. INTEGRITY. Assess the degree to which the structurelsite,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 structurelsite may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use or construc- tion. None. FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Name JAMES R. MCDONALD ARCHITECTS P_C_ Acreage:_- Address: P. 0. BOX 8163 USGS Quad: Date•• MISSO LI�,A. MONTANA 59807 UTM's:. REVISED ' Matthew A. Cohen In, h7ontnna hir rrE1�-•rnr -. ff 26 _:t_- p O mark i �►-s UP n FRIL 21P5 CFcv /,MC Photo 107-113 E. Main 1985 revision Matt Cohen, surveyor Built to replace a modest, frame hardware store following a fire in 1887, the once very impressive brick Nevitt Block is evidence of a thriving economy in Bozeman in the late 1880' s. Though the building retains enough of its original design and detailing to represent its period of construction inthe district and qualify as a contributing element in the district, it is of only marginal significance due to considerable loss of integrity. The seemingly out of place second bay of the facade, which bears an ornate date stone was originally surmounted by a square tower with a pyramidal roof - a feature that diversified an otherwise symmetrical , vernacular Romanesque style facade. Not only are the tower and cornice presently missing, but all upper floor windows are either partially or fully bricked up, and all storefronts have been replaced. The building however, appears to retain the original transom that spanned all the storefronts (though it is presently covered) . Decorative brickwork forms wall pilasters, string courses and rounded hood moldings. The fire of December 29, 1887, which left a 200 foot gap in Main Street and caused an estimated $40,000 damage, expedited the replacement of the first generation of frame commercial blocks on Main St. with brick ones. It started in the frame hardware store of William M. Nevitt, whose enthusiastic newspaper advertisements throughout the 1880' s proclaimed: "Hardware for the People!" (Avant Courier, October 4, 1880, p. 3) . Following the fire, Nevitt built what the Avant Courier termed a " . . . splended new store - one of the most elegant in the town or territory. . " (Avant Courier, September 27, 1888 p. 3) . The building had room for four stores , and according to Sanborn Maps, housed diverse businesses at various times into the 1890's in addition to Nevitt' s hardware store, such as saloons and billiard halls, a photo gallery, a clothing and furniture store, and beginning in 1892, a jewelry, book and stationary store. The latter was opened by a Mr. Burket, in the central store of the block, as the Gallatin Book and Stationary Store. Sherman G. Phillips bought the store in 1897 along with A.M. Ryon, and sold primarily Blickensderfer typewriters. The name was changed at that time to Phillips Book Store, which owns and occupies the building today. In 1940, Farmer Anderson and Harold Arnold took over the business. Nevitt also built the Gallatin Block (40-42 E. Main) in 1901. Bibliography Sanborn Maps, 1889, 1890, 1904 Wayne Berg and J. Bruce Anderson, "The Nevitt Building," undergraduate research paper, 1969. Avant Courier September 6, 20, 27, 1888, p. 3 Avant Courier October 4, 1880 Ellsworth, p. 11.