HomeMy WebLinkAbout129 E Main 1985 MONTANA HISTORICAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY I Site# _�
Legal Description: Original T wnsite Lots Portions one of 8 and A/R1 k E
Address: #Z`q 1 4WEast thin
Ownership:name: James Zimbric i
�y a"°a1e address: P .O. Box 789 Roll# 82 Frame# 25
1;6-) 1 t1AJ L- YY1 GVV bF-YU It Historic Name: Basinski Bros. �
L i 8 R A Y Common Name: Unknown
�— t ❑estimated
1 Date of Construction: 1882 �1 documented!
v - L Architect: Unknown
v �..1 _ 1
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- T Builder: Unknown
T � I Original Owner. Julius Basinski & Bros.
4 ( � I i Original Use: Commercial Structure
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11 Present use. Commercial Structure
mI 1 Research Sources:
T T ❑ abstract of title D city directories
I I l 4 ❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewerlwate+permits
I ( ❑ tax cards ❑ obituaries
w I �J IW r
� J � j � ❑ building permit ❑ biographies '
—y —"' - T----� —1 IXSanbornmaps—dates: 188�4 _
�L z Bibliography:
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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
recessed entrance under a flat overhang extending to the next building. The
symmetrical facade consists of a central front entrance with storefront windows
over a marbelized base. The upper level consists of vour vertical 4/1 double-hung
windows under a rectangular-patterned tile design set into the cornice. The frame
construction is finished in stucco and has a flat built-up roof which is
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 the early commercial
development of Bozeman. Julius Basinski and his brother were early merchants
in Bozeman, building a brick block in 1882 to house their dry goods business.
At the time of the building, the upper floor was occupied by the United States
Land Office and the Western Union Telegraph Company. Basinski built his
residence at 323 West Main in 1880.
This structure qualifies as a contributing element within a potential historic
district due to its association with the commercial aspect of the Village
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 continuity of use, setting and location.
INFORMATION VALUE: Explain how the extant structure/site may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use orconstruc-
tion.
None.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name JAMES R MCDONALD ARCHITECTS P.C. Acreage:
Address: P. U. 6OX 8163 USGS Quad:
Date: I(SS alIZ UTM's:
REVISED
Matthew A. Cohen
Sozeman, h9ontana
I'll • r-rnnr r-n 10Qgi
131 E. Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, surveyor
Remodeled with the present facade around 1925, probably by the
McCracken Brothers when their clothing store: "The Men's Store"
moved in, this building was originally built by merchants Julius
Basinski and his brother, probably in 1882. Originally a typical
Italianate style block similar to but less ornate that 27 E. Main
(see attached engraving) , the building is the smallest in a group
of three progressively taller buildings, terminating with the Masonic
Temple (137 E. Main) , that appears to have been consciously planned
for an impressive effect.
Julius Basinski , according to Matt Alderson in 1883, ran a "notion
store" , while the 1884 Sanborn Map indicates a "stationary."
store. In the second floor was originally the U.S. Land Office and
the Western Union Telegraph Office (Alderson, p. 28) . Basinski Bros. ,
in about the same year as this building, built a modest frame house
at 323 W. Main (Alderson, p. 30) .
The present facade of this building, a very significant example of
its period, is finished with aggregate stone, and has decorative,
polychromatic glazed tile inlays, particularly ornate surrounding the
transom. A painted sign on the west wall of the building that
advertises : "McCracken Brothers/The Men' s Store," is probably
orignial to the c.1920 remodeling. Gaines W. McCracken was proprietor
of this store, while his brother ran a similar store in Dillon,
Montana. (Note: Gaines W. McCracken and his brother are no relation
to J.N. McCracken, who ran a department store in the Lovelace Building,
20 E. Main, until bought out by J.C. Penney in 1929, nor to George
McCracken, probably J.N. McCracken' s brother, who after 1929 briefly
opened his own department store at 33 E. Main - the westernmost store
in the Story Block, 33-39 E. Main) .
McCracken' s expanded into the ground floor of the adjacent building
to the east, 135 E. Main, around 1960 which is presumably when the
present marquee was installed. The present red letters on the marquee
replaced similar blue ones about ten years ago.
Bibliography
Sanborn Maps, 1884, 1889, 1890, 1891
James Zimbric, interview, 9/8/85
Alderson, p. 28
Charles Vandenhook, interview, 9/7/85
City Directory, 1927, p. 103; 1933, p.94
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Figure 44: Main Street at Bozeman Avenue ( left to right) : Basinskils, Smith's
Palace Saloon, and the Masonic building (with Bozeman National
Bank at the ground level and Masonic Hall above.) (Bozeman Illus-
trated, c. 1890.)
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BREWERY-.0PUBLIC HALL BOTTLIM6 [STAB LISHML1147 AND MALT HOUSE
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DRY HOUSE...MALT HOUSE RESIDENCE J.F. SPEITH
Figure 45: Spieth and Krug Bozeman Brewery. The brewery and public hall
( 1883) , designed with elements of the Itallanate Commercial mode
of Victorian architecture, still stands ( 1984) on Main Street.
(Leeson, History of Montana, 1885.)
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