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Home My WebLink About10-12 W Main 1985 MONTANA HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY site# Lecal Description: Story s Lots Portion 2, 3/Blk A Address: 10-12 Vest Main w /rAr i O_v, .ership:name: Russell-Vorell Partnership _ `;.a. address: 2200 Second Street SW, Rochester, Minn 55901 Roll#77 Frame# 24 - - -- Historic Name: Post Office Buildin jcommon Name: Unknown _1 1908 ❑ estimated Date of Construction: M documented f T i I T. TN ' Architect: Unknown I Builder. Unknown i 1 i t Original Owner._ULLkn oWn L — — --' Original Use: Business College, Post Office Present Use: Commercial Research Sources: I ❑ abstract of title ❑ city directories _ _ 1 I ❑ plat recordslmaps L sewerlwater permits ` 1 ❑ tax cards ❑ obituaries T� - T 2 ( ❑ building permit ❑ biographies �+ (� M Sanborn maps—dates: 1912 Bibliography: Willson Job List Sewer and water permits not in files Department of Sanitation 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 two-story commercial -structure has a rectangular plan with an inset open lobby area protected by a flat roof. The one-bay facade is asymmetrical and consists -df three solid glass entrances , one on either side of the ticket booth , and a third manager' s entrance to one side. The upper level features 1/1 double-hung windows with slightly arched keystones and moulded limestone sills. The bearing wall construction is finished in limestone and features molded and dentiled limestone cornice, with limestone blocks at the corners. It has a flat-built-up roof, which is 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 was built in 1908 for use for offices and shops and to house the post office, located in those times in privately owned buildings. Some years later jn 1934, the Rialto Theatre under the management of A. M. Russill, manager of the Ellen Theatre directly across Main Street, underwent a decoration by Fred. F. Willson. i This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because of its historical significance 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: ES R, �JCDONALD ARCHITECTS P.C. Name Acreage: C0 8163 Address: USGS Quad: �'.ISSOULA, MONTANA 59807 Date: UTM's: AU RBiliBFD Matthew A. Cohen Bozeman, Montana im Y rEt^EMBER 1985 y! 1 10- 12 W . Main 1985 revision Matt Cohen , surveyor Since the various architectural elements of this building are virtually identical to those of the adjacent Gallatin State Bank Building ( 1908 , 2 W . Main ) , this small commercial block was probably built by the bank as a real estate venture , soon after the bank built that new corner office building . John R. Scahill , who designed and built the bank building , very likely was responsible for this one as well . The 1912 Sanborn Map shows the Post Office occupying the first floor and a " Business College" in the second - probably the original tenants . The "Bozeman Business College , " a day and night school , is listed in the 1916- 17 city directory , with Rosalia A . Lee as proprietor , at this location . In the 1927 city directory , the school was located in the Story Block ( 33-39 E . Main ) , with Mrs . Rosalia L . Bell as principal . The building was converted from a hardware store to the Rialto Theatre by A. M . Russell in the early to mid- 1920 ' s . Russell managed the theatre , in association with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Co . , and rented the second floor as apartments . He later bought the Ellen Theatre ( 17 W . Main ) from the Story family , and opened the Joyce Theatre ( 219 E . Main ) in the 1930 ' s . In 1934 , the interior of the Rialto underwent a remodeling under the direction of local architect Fred Willson , A fire in 1967 destroyed the original Rialto marquee and storefront , which were replaced with the present ones . A painted sign ( c . 1920) along the top of the wall facing the alley ( south ) : " Power Implement Co . /Hardware Farm Machinery , " almost certainly does not relate to a business ever housed in this building . Bibliography Sanborn Maps , 1912 , 1927 Charles Vandenhook , interview , 9/ 7/ 85 Bozeman City Directory , 1927 , p . 123 Bozeman Daily Chronicle , July 12 , 1967 , p . 1 Ernest S . Edsall , handwritten note in MSU Special Collections Vertical Files : " Banks" Fred F. Willson Job List , 1934 , job #3415 _ " Decorating Rialto Theatre - A . M . Russell . " City directories : 1916- 17 , pp . 50 , 324 ; 1927 , p . 33 . Donald D. Russell ( son of A. M . Russell , ) in a personal letter to Matthew Cohen , September 20 , 1985 ( see 219 E . Main St . ) � ;� �� __ _--� �, N �r� --� b � -, i� . K.; �7 e_�.'"''rt �' C,,,�,•1�� I lei C ��.{�� I 1