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Home My WebLink About40-42 E Main 1985 I'VIONTANA HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY1 Site# Legal Description: Original Tot-msite Lots )s� of 10, all 11/Blk A Address: 40-42 East Plain O(� pnareinvaresteh ip:n_ame:_ Qwveziowuse Flareware,--� }�, .�11 .�� ' :►t � Roll F•r- ame#address: ) 77p 31 _ Historic Name: Gallatin Block j Ll BF? A ilY Common Name: Unknown I ❑ estimated J I Date of Construction: 1901 KI documented V Architect Unknown T �r _ r TT-T' Builder. Unknown N rn Original Owner. �` ' Original Use: " " 11 ff Present Use: Commercial Structure 1)I f I f , Research Sources: T T r ❑ abstract of title ❑ city directories ❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewer/water permits 60 I ❑ tax cards ❑ obituaries l 1 ❑ building permit El biographies ��L_ �yr 7 1904 Z I IT Sanborn maps—dates: ' il� ! . Bibliography: J , I 3.4A(l o tr 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 rectangular plan with a large incised stone in the center of the upper facade reading "Gallatin" and a painted limestone column on the side front with a 1901 cornerstone. The asymmetrical facade consists of an off-center front entrance with aluminum storefront windows at street level and fixed windows on the second story, each flanked by two 1/1 double-hung winodws. Small windows appear in the cornice frieze. The corbel- ing above the windows and the limestone sills both run continuously around the building. The brick construction has been painted and a diamond corbeled pattern crosses the upper facade. It rests on a sandstone foundation. The flat built-up roof lies perpendicular to the street. 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 Fair" 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 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 yi eld information about its historic use or construc- tion. None. FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Name Acreage: Address:_p_"GX 8163 USGS Quad: Date: M UTM's: AUG 1984 REVISED - Matthew A. Cohen 13— --nn, Montana fir„ 11 nrrrrl-f" , rnAm 40-42 E. Main 1985 revision Matt Cohen, surveyor The Gallatin Block is a fine example of a modest, well-preserved, turn-of-the- century commercial block, and is prominently located on a corner lot. It was built in 1901 by William Nevitt, a local entrepreneur who in 1888 built the Nevitt Block (107-113 E. Main) . Of the original storefront remains only a sandstone pilaster, which bears the date in its base, and a decorative cast iron pilaster - both flanking the entrance to the upstairs. The original storefront had a near-central , recessed entrance, and a broad transom across the width of the facade. The present storefront sign for Western Drug has a background of green carrara glass. The unusual paint scheme of the building - a thin layer of yellow paint accented by random bricks painted a darker gold color - appears to be original . In May, 1901, the Avant Courier noted that the foundation for this building was "going up as if by magic, and that Nevitt had dressed stone for sills and other trim shipped from the east to avoid any delay in construction. "When Mr. Nevitt starts in on any important enterprise. . . " the item continued, he usually carries it through with a rush" (Avant Courier, May 4, 1901, p. 5) . The original tenant of the store at ground level was "The Fair" department store, managed by H.L. Casey (Burlingame, 1976, p. 37) . The Fair remained until some- time before 1927, and was followed by a variety of smaller stores , such as John Kampamos' Confectionary and the Ray Holloway Co. Clothing Store (City Directory, 1927, p. 177) . Local architect Fred Willson rented office space in the second floor, probably from early in his career, which began in 1910. In 1918 he moved from this building to a larger office in the Owenhouse Building (24-26 E. Main) , due to his "rapidly increasing business" , which at the time necessitated 5 draftsmen (The Weekly Courier, March 6, 1918) . According to Louis Spain, Willson had his o fi-ce upstairs in this building in the 1930' s, before relocating to Babcock Street (see 23- 39 S. Tracy) . Bibliography The Weekly Courier, March 6, 1918 Avant Courier, May 4, 1901, p. 5 Avant Courier, October 13, 1900 p. 5 (advertisement for The Fair) Burlingame, 1976, p. 37 The Coast, p. 466 (photograph of The Fair showing original storefront) . City Directory, 1927, p. 177 Louis Spain, interview, 9/4/85 Application for Sewer Connection, February 20, 1902, 42 E. Main, Wm. M Nevitt 1 i 1 I � i r I I � Corv�e�s�e�-e Co ap