HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 E Main 1985 111 ,4TANA HISTORICAL AND 2 1
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY [Site :
Blk A
Original Townsite Lots 5 and N. 5' of 6 Legal Description: /
Address: 18 East Main
Ownership:name: Robert 0. Smith
❑ private public address: 10659 Bridger Canyon Road Roll N 77 Frame N 27
Historic Name: Gem The (A.qo,I.C 1,'`t r►' t
Common Name: S tyl_on
❑ estimated
Date of Construction: 1900 ki documented
Architect: Unknown
Builder. known
Original Owner: Unknown
Original Use:------Dx_y__
Present Use: Commercial Structure
Research Sources:
�.. ❑ abstract of title lX city directories
❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewer/water permits
tX tax cards ❑ obituaries
❑ building permit ❑ biographies
IR Sanborn maps—datew 1904.1912.1927 _
Bibliography:
Department of Sanitation
Avant Courier, 10-27-1900
Location map or building plan with arrow north
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 an inset
storefront,;and a upper -story entry of light oak with a glass transom. The
asymmetrical facade has a central and an offset front entrance with copper store-
front windows on a granite base replacing the old bow windows. The second floor
features two combination 6/6 and 15/15 double-hung windows and a pressed tin
cornice with a variety of designs above the windows. The brick and incised lime-
stone construction is finished in glazed terra cotta (of a winged shield design)
surrounding the first floor storefront. It rests on a granite foundation. The
flat built-up roof lies perpendicular to the street.
^RICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/site
,.nd surrounding area lend the property significance.
Originally a dry-goods and clothing store, this structure underwent renovation
in 1908 to transform it into a moving picture theater. J.H. Marshall was the
proprietor in 1908, followed by Joseph Ruerup by 1915. In 1918, the Gem
Theater Company was listed as management. This group also spearheaded the
construction of the Ellen Theater across the street. The structure was later
occupied by the Montana Power Company in 1927.
This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because
of its historical integrity and because of its architectural integrity of
materials, location, setting , design and use.
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 PREPARE BY . GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
JAMLS �. hICDONALD ARCi'�11ECTS P.C.
Name Acreage:
—�,
Address: USGS Quad:
Date: h I UTM's:
/ REVISED
AU u I1u� Matthew A. Cohen
Sozenian, Montana
18 E . Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen , surveyor
Having undergone three significant alterations between its construction
in 1900 , to about 1927 , including a conversion to the Gem Theatre
in 1908 , this small commercial block retains significant , if some-
what incongruous detailing at the cornice and storefront . In its
present form, it is most closely associated with the Montana Power
Company , and is therefore related to the early 20th century ' s expansion
of city services in Bozeman .
Harry Smith ( father of the present owner) and his wife , Mrs : Mary
John Mendenhall , built the block in 1900 ( Avant Courier , October 27 ,
1900 , p . 3 ) , and probably ran a dry goods and clothing store in it ,
as shown on the 1904 Sanborn Map . The building originally had two .
ornate oriel windows with broad friezes ornamented with swags that
echoed those of the pressed metal cornice . A simple , original plate
glass storefront had a nearly central , recessed entrance . A decora-
tive parapet medallion and urn finials originally crowned the
building ( see attached photographs ) .
The Smiths may have procured a building permit one year before con-
struction , for by 1910 , the oriel windows would technically not have
been allowable due to an ordinance approved by the City Council in
March , 1899 , which prohibitted " . . . any porch , door or window which
shall project into or over the line of Main Street or the sidewalk
thereof . . . " ( City Ordinances , Ordinance #190 , Sec . 13 , p . 102 ) .
In 1908 , according to the 1984 Inventory form , the building was
transformed into the Gem Theatre . A photograph dated c . 1909 shows
the remarkably ornate , glazed terra cotta entrance to the newly
remodeled building , which featured a classically embellished , column-
supported arcade ( see attached photograph ) .
The proprietor of the- theatre in 1908 was J . H . Marshall , followed by
Joseph Ruerup by 1915 . In 1918 the Gem Theatre Co . was listed as
management - the group that also spear-headed the construction of
the Ellen Theatre ( 17 W . Main ) across the street ( Inventory -
undocumented sources ) .
The Montana Power Co . occupied the building by 1927 ( and possibly as
early as 1922 - see Fred Willson Job List reference in bibliography) ,
by which time it had taken on its present appearance ( photograph in
1927 City Directory , p . 9 ) . Final changes included removal of the
oriels and their replacement with the present multi -sash windows ,
the replacement of limestone string courses and oriel bases with red
brick infill , and the installation of the very distinctive glazed
terra cotta storefront , which is ornamented with winged shields .
The storefront may retain its original full transom beneath the present
" stylon" sign , which may be similar to the multiple-light transom
over the door to the upper floor .
According to Joe Uhlrich , this building served as one of the several
locations of the Kopp butcher shop , presumably between the occupancies
of the Gem Theatre and the Montana Power Co . , and has a tile floor
beneath the present carpeting .
Bibliography
Robert Smith , interview , 9/3/85
City Ordinances , p . 201 ( Ordinance #190 , Sec . 13) .
City Directory , 1927 , p . 9 .
Sanborn Maps , 1904 , 1912 , 1927
Avant Courier , October 27 , 1900
Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory , 1984 , li E . Main
Fred Willson Job List , 1922 , job #2204 , "Apt . House - MT . Power Co . "
Joe Uhlrich , interview , January 18 , 1986
I �+ Y. n
10
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W Upper photo: Bozeman's three trolley cars drawn up in review at the corner of Rouse and Main. The Tilton building is pictured at the
left, erected in 1889, according to the cornerstone. J. W. Imes, real estate was in the wooden building across the street. Probably a Mh
of July parade scene, taken from the second floor balcony of the Bozeman hotel, and looking east. LOWER PHOTO: traffic police and
parking meters were no problems to residents of Bozeman when this photo was taken in 1905. Note trolley line and trolley car in distance
on east Main; taken at intersection of Tracy and Main, looking east,
—Artcraft Printers
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Top photo: Montana State College, class of 1903. Comment,•.
( of the Montana Agricultural College Academy was held Jun.
t Back row, from left: Ralph Holgate. Fred Ervin, Floyd Lorentz
" Warren Griffith, Standing: Gertrude Traphagen, Agnes Mounfi
l"y , Madge Johnson, Leila Shearer, Mrs. M. K. Hnll (instructor
'{ t(t menfor), Faith Jackson, Bessie Thorpe. Seated: Florence Bat
Edith Houston, Jennie TeSelle, Bertha Davis, Agnes Morris.
ok , o Below: Home Economics club at Montana State about 1908. '
„ p,�'�srlj� ,;t j+,fyq� identified are, seated, left to righl: Margarita Shellenberger, —_
Harriet Thorpe, Aida Smith: standing, first four at left, Gra
Kirk, Blanche Metheny, Olive Clark, Ethel VanCamp; from fi
on to right, back row: Irene Carr, Grace Clark, Mary Eli
Davidson. Front row, standing, Dorothy Gatton, Vera Anders•
°► �' Rhoda Dawes, Effie Carmichael, Mary Wylie, Ruth Flager,
Stylon, Your Style So
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Old Americana , in the good old days—The Frank N. Norman
old home place of the late '90s is pictured at the fop. This house ', )y'
together with itt modern conveniences as depicted in the accom• • q c; I!, }
panying pictures was vacated in 1904 when the new home of the Normans was built in a more choice spot on the ranch. Typical a
the early day residents, pioneers of Gellafin Valley and one of 3
the better preserved at this late day. The trails from the house
to the "rest room" with its usual wood pile for the convenience of '',• ^
travelers to and from, has long since been covered by nature's .y '
rank growth of underbrush. Pieces of the old Sears-Roebuck cafe•
logue . . . the usual readinq material . handy in so many ways,
have long since vanished. Remnants of the horse and buggy days The old Gem Theatre was 'the popular theater emporium in the
are still to be found, as well as the family bath fub and hot water
I heater . . . (or could if be hog scalding facilities?) days of the old silent pictures. Theatre opened about 1909. Ray
Holloway operated "Bill the Nifty Taylor Shop."
—The Bowl —Doe's Parkway
—Pickle Barrel —Bozeman Theatres
21
but the upsta,
xe;. f ( i;' ccr.
that the Lodge
second floor i
CO a twelve years r
�n7 „■■ ,� cN., [ :j a rental of $1;
tiiE 1 a ' �°, U for and 19 age
hers agreed tl
CO CO of all member
tabled indefinil
�— 1.lee � Cc � quest for a su l
q C The situati
conditions pre,,
o deep-voiced w
A ► ` o at the close of
A the rapidly grc
} o rz a committee ht,
70 ;b that Gallatin I
.°o the Master nar
67Q Howard M. Le,,
p The comet!
° were still deha'
ing the advant
L�', o +•
one devoted r,
�i�i i •'.� �, •.. tional committt
appointed.
° ..
w � In April,
= r t c mended a tem,
' of approximate
U °
site at Tracy
WFW" j -a of the several r
motional com t
( - C6o• all of the Maso
c W At this p(
UNK i Z •° separate tempi
%.� o many of its me,
UNK �� �� 'ti 6 Finally on
MEW ��� 0 been prepared
H. A. Bolinger
to form the firs
q The new I
r ° on March 6,- 1'
property at Mai
�� }} a) to o slowly, assistw
f LO
oo a property wh i
'1 rA WalterMeckle,
1 o be constructed
19, after suit<d
cc
ceived approv i
The purchase ,
t
family would c
16
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BOZEMAN DAIL`�CHRONICLE CENTENNIAL•EDITION,Sunda ,March 27, 1983'
, •. �. ( Ip��y�r��i l-d�:. 7 �ee .vM t,rL. >• -S: r +�� >' �f'h'Y�h��`���, '
40
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:xi 6A
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Sr. . ,�
March 9 1929
Bozeman Saw Its' First Penney Store; a 'modest
tip
store on a• muddy Main Street, Penneys opens in Y :.
;tm�
�I
` becomes the 1140thstore`in. the chain,
Bozeman and,beco
This is also thefirst year Penn
ey com
mon stock is listed
•�
u ',., on the New York Stock Exchange.'
. •$ z O � , f., ' t+-VSSI f � � 1� � t.f.� r tr � it:{ +- ,�
X
r
1
Note : This building was never occupied by J . C . Penney. The
photograph probably dates to about 1900 , showing original
appearance. By 1927 , the bay windows had been removed .