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Home My WebLink About403 W Mendenhall St 2020MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD For the Montana National Register of Historic Places Program and State Antiquities Database Montana State Historic Preservation Office Montana Historical Society PO Box 201202, 1410 8th Ave Helena, MT 59620-1202 Property Address: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Historic Address (if applicable): City/Town: BOZEMAN Site Number: 094 (An historic district number may also apply.) County: GALLATIN Historic Name: Unknown Original Owner(s): W. B. Bessey Current Ownership Private Public Current Property Name: Unknown Owner(s): Daniel Hitchcock Owner Address: 322 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715- 3447 Phone: Legal Location PM: Montana Township: 02S Range: 05E NE¼ SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section: 12 Lot(s): Lot 12 & 13 Block(s): D Addition: Tracy’s 2nd Add (TR2) USGS Quad Name: Bozeman Year of Addition: 1883 Year: 1987 Historic Use: Residential Current Use: Commercial/Law Office Construction Date: 1890 Estimated Actual Original Location Moved Date Moved: UTM Reference www.nris.mt.gov NAD 27 or NAD 83(preferred) Zone: 12 Easting: 496671 Northing: 5058560.7 National Register of Historic Places NRHP Listing Date: Historic District: NRHP Eligible: Yes No Date of this document: 2/21/2020 Form Prepared by: Form Prepared by: E. Sakariassen, S. Wells, Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. with C. Alegria and C. Hendry, Extreme History Project Address: Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc., Bozeman, MT Daytime Phone: 406-219-3535 MT SHPO USE ONLY Eligible for NRHP: □ yes □ no Criteria: □ A □ B □ C □ D Date: Evaluator: Comments: MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 2 Architectural Description Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Architectural Style: Queen Anne Cottage If Other, specify: Property Type: Commerce Specific Property Type: Residential turned CPA office Architect: Unknown Architectural Firm/City/State: Unknown Builder/Contractor: Unknown Company/City/State: Unknown Source of Information: N/A This site consists of two historical architectural features: a house built c. 1890 and later remodeled in 1982, and a small barn behind the house built c. 1900. The house is a wood-framed, single-story structure with an irregular plan, with a stone and concrete foundation. It was built in the Queen Anne cottage style, but has been extensively remodeled. The house has a front-gabled roof with a side-gabled ell, shed-roofed porch in the re-entrant corner, and a large shed addition on the east side. The roof is clad in asphalt shingles. The exterior walls are clad in contemporary angled, or “raking” wood siding, painted white. Though it was originally a residential building, it appears to have been converted into an office space in recent years. The primary façade faces south, onto W Mendenhall St. The primary entrance is a decorative wood door with a fixed lite, located on the east corner of the front façade within an open front porch and accessed by one step. The roof of the porch is supported in the southeast corner by a decorative turned post. A concrete pathway leads from the public ROW up to the front porch and then diverts to the east and then north to a secondary entrance on the south elevation, which is within the shed-roofed addition. This secondary entry is at-grade and has a flat-roofed awning suspended from two wire braces above. The door itself is a modern side-hung door with a fixed lite. Windows on the south façade consist of a fixed picture window with operable one-over-one side-lites centered on the gable-front, and a large metal-framed casement window on the shed-roofed addition. The east elevation contains a small square window at the south end and a pair of one-over-one-lite double-hung wood windows on the east-facing gable end. A one-over-one-lite double-hung window is visible on the south end of the west elevation. Other openings are not visible from the public ROW. Some windows appear to be replaced with modern metal sash. There is a wood-framed small barn in the back of the property, to the north of the house, that is also historic. The exterior walls are clad in horizontal wood drop siding, painted red. The roof is side gabled and clad in asphalt shingles. The south elevation is presumably the primary façade based on the boarded up windows and openings on the north, east, and west elevations, and the fact that the south elevation is not visible from the public ROW. The site is well maintained. Vegetation includes a growing coniferous tree in the southeast corner of the front lawn, and mature deciduous trees on the western, eastern, and northern boarders of the property lines. The site was first recorded in 1984 by James R. McDonald Architects. At that time, the property was considered an “intrusive element within a potential historic district,” and Metcalf finds that currently, it does not retain sufficient integrity to convey historic character. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 3 History of Property Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 HISTORY OF PROPERTY William H. Tracy purchased this property from the United States on June 15, 1872. He platted it as Tracy’s 2nd Addition on May 16, 1883. The residence on this property was built between 1890-1891, according to Gallatin County deed records and Sanborn maps. William and Rebecca Bessey purchased this property from Rosa Black on December 6, 1890. William Bessey was born in 1853 in Elmire, New York. While living in Bozeman, William worked as a painter, picture hanger, and wall paperer (R.L. Polk & Co 1918). Rebecca Griffith was born on November 30, 1840 in Vandalia, Illinois. She lived in Chicago, IL for a time and also lived in San Francisco, California. Rebecca moved to Bozeman in 1885 (The Anaconda Standard 8 Aug 1916). Rebecca died on August 6, 1916 and is buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT (Findagrave.com 2004). On October 24, 1917, William remarried Annie Mortin (The Butte Miner 28 Oct 1917). In approximately 1922, William moved to National City, CA (R.L. Polk & Co 1922). William Bessey died in National City, CA on February 29, 1924. His remains were brought back to Montana and he is buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT (Ancestry.com 2017). David and Dora Williams purchased the property on August 22, 1904. David N. Williams was born in Pomroy, Ohio to Noah and Mary Williams in 1857. David Williams and Dora Moore were married at Reese Creek, Gallatin County, MT on April 24, 1892. Dora was born in Malad, Idaho to Amoes B. and Celia Moore on May 13, 1870. David and Dora lived in the Springhill, MT area for a time. David was postmaster in Springhill and also farmed in the area. They moved into Bozeman and lived at this property from 1909 to 1920. David and Dora moved to California between 1924 and 1929 (Deeds 72/357 and 72/358). David Williams died in Los Angeles, CA on August 16, 1928. Dora Williams died in Los Angeles, CA on November 28, 1945 (GHM Vertical File). Elmira “Elmyra” Frazier purchased the property on March 7, 1913. Elmira (Heard) Frazier was born on December 14, 1835 in Mcleansboro, IL. Elmira married George Frazier in 1853. Elmira and George came to Montana Territory in 1865, first to Virginia City in September and then to Bozeman, Montana Territory in April of 1866. Upon arriving in Bozeman, they established the first hotel in the city, in partnership with John Bozeman. The hotel was called The City Hotel. They operated the hotel for four years and it was the social center of the city. Sometime before his death, John Bozeman signed over his interest in the hotel in exchange for meals. In 1871 Elmira and George purchased a ranch near Bozeman where they remained until George’s death. In 1874, George died of pneumonia after a violent storm (Bozeman Avant Courier 27 Feb 1874). In 1880, Elmira built another hotel/lodging house/family hotel. She was famous for her “culinary arts” (Bozeman Courier 8 Jun 1928). The lodging house closed to the public in the 1920s, but Elmira and her family continued to live in the house. In her last years she lived in the lodging house with her son William A. Frazier and daughter, Mrs. Emma Dumphy (Spokesman-Review 15 Jun 1928). Elmira Frazier was one of the earliest residents of Bozeman and witnessed the growth of the city from a “camp composed of a few log cabins to its present, modern development” (Bozeman Courier, 8 June 1928). She is buried next to her husband, George, in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT. Elmira never lived at 403 West Mendenhall Street, but used it as an income producing property, renting it out to others. No record was found of her tenants. Stella B. Esgar purchased the property on May 1, 1926. Stella Enslow was born on August 10, 1885 in Lee County, Iowa to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Enslow. Stella moved to Montana in 1912. Her first job was with the Willson Company where she worked in the Ready-To-Wear Department. While at the Willson Company, she worked under the direction of Millie Burtch Mandeville. Stella married John D. Esgar on May 10, 1916 in Los Angeles, California. They made their home in Montana, living in Shields Valley and Bridger Canyon before moving to Bozeman, MT. Stella was a charter member of the Merry Makers Club (GHM Vertical File). Stella Esgar died on July 19, 1969 and is buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT (Findagrave.com 2004). John Daniel Esgar was born on February 17, 1875 in Blossburg, Pennsylvania. John worked for the Wiley company in Yellowstone National Park for a time before he and Stella moved to Bozeman. While in Bozeman, John was a clerk for the Thomas H. Rea Grocery store. John’s brother Bob was the manager at the Rea Grocery store. John was a good clerk, and knew his customers’ likes and dislikes. People would phone in their orders and John would put them together for delivery. John was a member of the Modern Woodman Lodge and the Merry Makers Club (GHM Vertical File). John died on January 30, 1965 and is buried with Stella in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman. (Findagrave.com 2004). The property has held several owners since Stella Esgar’s executor sold the property in 1969. The current owner of the property in January of 2020 is Daniel Hitchcock. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 4 History of Property Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 Table 1. Chain of Title, 403 W. Mendenhall St., Bozeman, Montana. Grantor Grantee Date of Instrument Type of Instrument Property Description/Comments Reference USA William H. Tracy 15 June 1872 Patent S ½ of NE ¼ section 12, T2S R5E and SW ¼ of NW ¼ of section 7, T2S, R6E (113.40 acres) D: I/56 William H. and Sarah J. Tracy John Bothwell 02 November 1881 Warranty Deed Lots 10 – 13, Block D, Tracy’s 2nd Addition D: 2/111 John and C. B. J. Bothwell Rosa G. Black 12 April 1883 Deed Same D: 3/571 M. M. and Rosa G. Black R. L. and W. B. Bessey 06 December 1890 Warranty Deed Same D: 18/8 William B. and Rebecca L. Bessey Z. S. Morgan 27 February 1892 Warranty Deed Lots 12 and 13, Block D, Tracy’s 2nd Addition D: 19/426 Z. S. and Martha V. Morgan Carrie Cline 12 May 1902 Warranty Deed Same D: 29/39 Victor E. and Carrie Cline Richard F. Bohart 27 November 1903 Warranty Deed Same D: 34/294 Richard F. and Effie M. Bohart David N. Williams 22 August 1904 Warranty Deed Same D: 34/542 David N. and Dora Williams George W. Battenfelder 29 March 1909 Warranty Deed Same D: 39/413 George W. and Nellie Battenfelder Michael McDonnell 13 November 1912 Warranty Deed Same D: 47/116 Michael and Mary McDonnell Elmirah Frazier 07 March 1913 Warranty Deed Same D: 48/361 Elmirah Frazier A. L. Gideon 02 October 1918 Warranty Deed Same D: 55/532 A. L. and Bertha M. Gideon Charles F. and Ruth Kraft 08 May 1924 Warranty Deed Same D: 65/480 Charles F. and Ruth Kraft Stella B. Esgar 01 May 1926 Warranty Deed Same D: 71/467 Stella B. Esgar, by executor Harrington’s Inc. 14 October 1969 Executor’s Deed Same D: Film 5/933 Harrington’s Inc. James L. and Darlene K. Stevens 02 July 1970 Deed Same D: Film 7/1340 James L. and Darlene K. Stevens J. David and Rose Ann Penwell 17 October 1977 Warranty Deed Same D: Film 40/1271 J. David Penwell Rose Ann Penwell 01 September 1982 Quit Claim Deed Same D: Film 71/1453 Rose Ann Penwell Malkolm Kenley 14 September 1983 Abstract and Notice of Purchaser’s Interest Same D: Film 79/52 Malkolm Kenley Kay Loye Brown 18 April 1984 Abstract of Assignment of Purchaser’s Interest Same D: Film 82/3859 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 5 History of Property Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 Table 1. Chain of Title, 403 W. Mendenhall St., Bozeman, Montana. Grantor Grantee Date of Instrument Type of Instrument Property Description/Comments Reference Malkolm Kenley Rose Ann Penwell 23 September 1988 Warranty Deed Same D: Film 103/958 Kay Loye Brown Rose Ann Penwell 23 September 1988 Warranty Deed Same D: Film 103/959 Rose Ann Penwell Stuart R. Whitehair 15 November 1991 Warranty Deed Same D: Film 199/3970 Stuart R. Whitehair Daniel Hitchcock 01 May 2018 Warranty Deed Same D: #2612594 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 6 Information Sources/Bibliography Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 INFORMATION SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY The Anaconda Standard [Anaconda, Montana] 1916 “Mrs. W. B. Bessey Dead.” 8 August. Anaconda, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/348871309/?terms=Bessey, accessed January 10, 2020. Ancestry.com 2017 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1830-2011 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Lehi, UT. Montana State Historical Society; Helena, Montana. Electronic document, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi- bin/sse.dll?dbid=61255&h=37008&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=5187, accessed January 10, 2020. Bozeman Avant Courier [Bozeman, Montana] 1874 “G.W. Frazier.” 27 February. Bozeman, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/343167074/?terms=George%2Bfrazier, accessed January 9, 2020. Bozeman Courier [Bozeman, Montana] 1928 “Funeral Services for Mrs. Frazier.” 8 June. Bozeman, Montana. The Butte Miner [Butte, Montana] 1917 “The Marriage of William B. Bessey” 28 October. Butte, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/348840624/?terms=William%2BBessey, accessed January 10, 2020. Find A Grave 2004 Rebecca Bessey (30 Nov 1840 – 6 Aug 1916). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69793526/elijah-laurence-bessey, accessed January 10, 2020. 2004 John Daniel Esgar (17 Feb 1875 – 30 Jan 1965). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51338128/john-daniel-esgar, accessed January 8, 2020. 2004 Stella Beach Enslow Esgar (10 Aug 1885 – 19 Jul 1969). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72028370/stella-beach-esgar, accessed January 8, 2020. Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder 1864-2019 Gallatin County Deeds. Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder, Bozeman, Montana. Gallatin History Museum (GHM) No Date Vertical File “Williams.” Bozeman, Montana. No Date Vertical File “Esgar.” Bozeman, Montana. James R. McDonald Architects 1984 403 W Mendenhall St. Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory Form. Document on-file with the City of Bozeman. Bozeman, MT. The Spokesman-Review [Spokane, Washington] 1928 “Mrs. Elmira Frazier Dies.” 15 June. Spokane, Washington. R. L. Polk & Co. 1904-2010 Polk’s Bozeman (Gallatin County, Mont.) City Directories. R.L. Polk & Co., Kansas City, Missouri. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 7 Statement of Significance Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NRHP Listing Date: NRHP Eligibility: Yes No Individually Contributing to Historic District Noncontributing to Historic District NRHP Criteria: A B C D Area of Significance: Period of Significance: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The site was first recorded in 1984 by James R. McDonald Architects. At that time, the property was considered an “intrusive element within a potential historic district,” and Metcalf finds that currently, the site does not have sufficient integrity to convey historic character. The site has been evaluated against the NRHP Criteria. It is found to lack individual significance under Criterion A for associations with events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our history. Research revealed that the property was once used as a rental property, owned by prominent early Bozeman resident Elmira Frazier. However, this association is not considered significant to satisfy Criterion B. Under Criterion C, the site has experienced extensive alterations in the recent past and is no longer a strong representation of a type, period, or method of construction. Under Criterion D, the site is not likely to yield information that would contribute significantly to our understanding of the past. Metcalf recommends this site not eligible for inclusion in the NRHP on the basis of integrity. If like-structures observed in the vicinity constitute a district, this site would be considered non-contributing. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 8 Integrity Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 INTEGRITY (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association) The site is in good condition, overall, but has experienced large alterations in the past. The addition added in the 1982 remodel and the application of wood siding with a modern aesthetic and the replacement of original windows detracts considerably from the buildings historic character, affecting integrity of materials, design, feeling, workmanship, and setting. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 9 Photographs Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 Feature # 1 Facing: N Description: Property 094. View of south façade (Image # 2-0241, 10/19/2019. EAS). Feature #1 Facing: NW Description: Oblique view northwest (Image # 2-0243, 10/19/2019. EAS). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 10 Photographs Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 Feature # 1 Facing:S Description: Property 094. View of north elevation, Feature 2 in foreground (Image # 2-0253, 10/19/2019. EAS). Feature #2 Facing: SE Description: Oblique view southeast of detached barn (Image # 2-0543, 10/19/2019. EAS). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 11 Site Map Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 12 Topographic Map Property Name: 403 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 094