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Home My WebLink About408 W Mendenhall St 2020 MONTANA 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: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Historic Address (if applicable): City/Town: BOZEMAN Site Number: 097 (An historic district number may also apply.) County: GALLATIN Historic Name: Unknown Original Owner(s): Mary E. Jones Current Ownership Private Public Current Property Name: Owner(s): Evan Gail White Living Trust & White Family Trust Owner Address: 2219 W Oak St Apt 110, Bozeman, MT 59718- 6101 Phone: Legal Location PM: Montana Township: 02S Range: 05E SE¼ SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section: 12 Lot(s): Lot 28 & 29 Block(s): D Addition: Tracy’s 1st Add (TRA) Year of Addition: 1872 USGS Quad Name: Bozeman Year: 1987 Historic Use: Residential Current Use: Residential Construction Date: 1902 Estimated Actual Original Location Moved Date Moved: UTM Reference www.nris.mt.gov NAD 27 or NAD 83(preferred) Zone: 12 Easting: 496653.9 Northing: 5058501.8 National Register of Historic Places NRHP Listing Date: Historic District: NRHP Eligible: Yes No Date of this document: 3/2/2020 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: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Architectural Style: Queen Anne If Other, specify: Property Type: Residential Specific Property Type: Multiple unit apartments 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 in 1902 and a wood-framed outbuilding built c. 1910. The house is a 2.5-story Queen Anne style residence that serves as a multi-unit apartment and may have been a duplex or apartment historically. The house has a roughly rectangular footprint and a concrete-block foundation. The original plan of the house was rectangular, before a 1990 addition was built to the southwest. This addition is a single story with a low-pitched gable roof. The west half of the addition extends further south, creating a shed-roofed ell. Evidence observed suggests the foundation was historically fieldstone. The gabled roof is covered in asphalt shingle, as is the shed-roof of the addition. The exterior walls of the entire feature are clad in horizontal vinyl siding. The primary façade faces north, onto W Mendenhall St. The asymmetrical façade has an off-set entry vestibule at the northeast corner, which now contains two entrances, one labeled with a “406” street number, and the other “408.” This vestibule is shed-roofed, with a gable-front. It does not appear to be original, though it is likely located where the original entry was. The two doors are modern standard side-hung doors accessed by a concrete stoop. Most of the original windows have also been replaced, and the openings altered. The windows are placed irregularly, are various sizes, and are a mix of fixed and double hung with vinyl sashes. On the primary façade, they include a picture window with side lites to the west of the vestibule, one-over-one-lite vinyl windows in the second story, and a centered one-over-one-lite vinyl window in the apex of the upper half story. On the east and west elevations, windows are also modern and consist of one-over-one-lite and fixed picture windows. The south (rear) elevation contains two side-by-side entries within the extended addition. These entries are at-grade, with a concrete stoop. Awning windows are directly above the doors and to the east are additional vinyl one-over-one-lite windows. The second story contains two one-over-one-lite windows on the south elevation, and within the apex of the upper half story, a square, fixed window. To the south of the house, within the space provided by the roughly L-shaped addition, is the historic detached shed (Feature 2). The roof of the shed is a segmented-arch, covered asphalt shingles and corrugated metal sheeting. The exterior walls are clad in horizontal wood siding and corrugated metal sheets. The feature is in poor condition, overall. The site is otherwise well maintained. Vegetation in the front yard includes a manicured lawn and a small deciduous tree on the west end. To the east, west, and south sides of the house are large mature deciduous trees, and more lawn continuing to the south of the house. An asphalt driveway is accessed from W Mendenhall along the western border of the property and continues south and around the south side of the property, which includes parking for property residents. The property was first recorded in 1984 by James R. McDonald Architects. At that time, it was considered a “neutral element within a potential historic district.” Metcalf has reassessed the integrity of this site and finds it has experienced many alterations over time, including the loss of historic windows, doors, and siding as well as the addition on the south elevation. While overall it is in good condition, it does not retain sufficient integrity to convey historic character. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 3 History of Property Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 HISTORY OF PROPERTY William H. Tracy purchased this property from the United States on June 15, 1872. He platted the land as Tracy’s 1st Addition in 1872. This property originally included lots 14, 15, 28, and 29, on Block D of Tracy’s 1st Addition. On March 29, 1902 the property was reduced to lots 28 and 29, on Block D of Tracy’s 1st Addition. Prior to this split, a residence was built on lots 14 and 15, fronting Main Street in 1882 – 1883 (Sanborn Map Company Nov 1884). Mary E. and B. F. Jones purchased the property on June 12, 1902. Mary E. (Lehr) Jones was born in 1860. Mary Lehr married Benjamin F. Jones on August 6, 1876 in Merrick, Nebraska (Ancestry.com 2017). Benjamin Jones worked as a farmer and later as a carpenter. He most likely built the residence on this property that fronted Mendenhall. Mary died on March 13, 1925. Benjamin died on January 6, 1930. Mary is buried next to Benjamin in Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima, Washington (Findagrave.com 2004). Robert A. Baxter purchased this property on November 20, 1903 and maintained ownership of the property until 1912. There is no evidence that Baxter and his family resided here, but it is possible it was used as an income-producing property. Robert A. Baxter was born on April 28, 1836 to George and Sarah (Anderson) Baxter in County Donegal, Ireland. When Robert was about twelve years old, he immigrated with his parents to the United States, living first in Ontario, Canada. He moved to the San Francisco area in 1865 where he farmed until the early 1870s. He arrived in the Gallatin valley c. 1871 and homesteaded a farm that was located five miles northwest of Bozeman, Montana (Archiveswest.com 2012). Robert married Mary James on February 16, 1880. Mary James was born in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada on May 12, 1850 to John and Margaret James (Ancestry.com 2001). Robert was a director of the Commercial National Bank, an officer of the Bozeman Milling Company, and treasurer of the Farmer’s Canal Company (The Anaconda Standard 12 January 1927). The two continued to live on their farm northwest of Bozeman until 1913, when they moved to a house at 607 W Lamme St (The Bozeman Courier 5 February 1926). Mary died on February 3, 1926 in Bozeman. Robert died on January 10, 1927. Robert and Mary are buried together in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman (Findagrave.com 2004). The Baxter Hotel, a landmark in downtown Bozeman was named after Robert A. Baxter. His son Robert “George” Baxter had interest in the Community Hotel Inc., being the chairman of the building committee and raising the necessary funds to construct the Hotel Baxter (Gallatin County Tribune and Belgrade Journal 22 December 1960). Henry and Lillian Rohrer purchased the property on December 15, 1921. Henry Rohrer was born on July 29, 1866 in Walnut, Illinois to John and Francesca Rohrer. He was a grocer in Bozeman, MT for 27 years. (Great Falls Tribune 13 November 1945) Henry married Lillian Whitver on April 21, 1897 in Walnut, IL. Lillian Whitver was born on June 27, 1875 in Walnut, Illinois to William and Lucretia (Hodges) Whitver. They lived in Walnut until 1901, when they moved to Iowa. In 1918 they came to Bozeman, MT. Henry and Lillian sold the property on December 23, 1938. (Findagrave.com 2004) Henry Rohrer died on November 12, 1945 in Bozeman, MT. In 1960, Lillian Rohrer left Bozeman for Corvallis, Oregon to be near her daughter, and lived there the last seven years of her life (Statesman Journal 29 November 1967; Corvallis Gazette-Times 29 November 1967). Lillian Rohrer died on November 28, 1967 in Corvallis, OR (Ancestry.com 2001). Evan D. and Rosalyn White purchased the property on November 25, 1942. Evan Dunreath White was born on September 29, 1911 in Bozeman, MT to Larry and Ethel White. Evan was a ranger for the U.S. Foresters Department. He married Rosalyn Woodland on December 24, 1934 in Helena, MT. (Ancestry.com 2017) Rosalyn was born on May 11, 1916 in Diveron, Illinois to Frank and Rosaland Woodland. Rosalyn’s family moved to Bozeman when she was a child, and she graduated from Gallatin County High School at the age of 16 years. She did postgraduate work in accounting. In Bozeman, she worked for Jacobson-McHaney Motor Co., for Rolph and Wood, for Frank J. Trunks and Sons Plumbing and Heating, and Waite and Company Insurance. Later in life she attended Montana State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies in June of 1964, a master’s degree in microbiology in December of 1968, and completed coursework for a doctoral degree in microbiology but did not receive the doctorate due to limited funding for continued research (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle 17 June 2006). Evan White died on February 6, 1980 and Rosalyn died on June 8, 2006 in Gallatin County, MT. Evan and Rosalyn White are buried together in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, MT (Findagrave.com 2004). Evan and Rosalyn White’s son Keith D. White became owner of the property on January 2, 1992. The property is still in the White family as of February 2020. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 4 History of Property Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 Table 1. Chain of Title, 408 West Mendenhall Street, 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 W. H. and Sarah J. Tracy Caroline Dexter 25 November 1879 Warranty Deed Lots 14, 15, 28, and 29, Block D, Tracy’s 1st Addition D: 1/205 Benjamin and Caroline Dexter Samuel E. Larabie 15 February 1881 Warranty Deed Same D: 2/10 Samuel E. and Julia W. Larabie William W. Alderson 13 November 1882 Deed Same D: 3/277 William W. and Frances N. Alderson George E. Weatherby 21 April 1883 Deed Same D: 4/177 George E. and Ellen P. Weatherby C. W. Logan 29 March 1902 Warranty Deed Lots 28 and 29, Block D, Tracy’s 1st D: 30/55 C. W. and S. V. Logan Mary E. Jones 12 June 1902 Warranty Deed Same D: 30/56 Mary E. and B. F. Jones R. A. Baxter 20 November 1903 Warranty Deed Same D: 34/273 R. A. and Mary Baxter O. W. Smith 09 July 1912 Quit Claim Deed Same D: 46/443 O. W. and Nancy Smith J. D. Meagher 10 April 1917 Quit Claim Deed Same D: 56/259 J. D. and Annie E. Meagher Henry Rohrer 14 December 1921 Warranty Deed Same D: 65/97 Henry and Lillian Rohrer Luise Ottman 23 December 1938 Warranty Deed Same (subject to mortgage given by Rohrer to Home Owners Loan Corp.) D: 82/133 Luise Ottmann Carl L. Ottmann 04 February 1939 Warranty Deed Same (subject to mortgage given by Rohrer to Home Owners Loan Corp.) D: 82/390 Henry and Lillian Rohrer and Carl and Louise Ottman, by Sheriff Home Owners’ Loan Corporation 18 May 1942 Sheriff’s Deed Same D: 86/144 Home Owners’ Loan Corporation Evan D. and Rosalyn White 25 November 1942 Warranty Deed Same D: 86/495 Evan D. and Rosalyn White Frank J. Woodland 17 November 1953 Warranty Deed Same D: 113/148 Frank J. Woodland Evan D. and Rosalyn White 17 November 1953 Warranty Deed Same D: 113/150 Evan D. and Rosalyn White Evan D. and Rosalyn W. White 27 November 1974 Warranty Deed Same D: Film 26/1700 Evan D. White Rosalyn W. White 22 December 1975 Warranty Deed Same (¼ interest – making Rosalyn White’s total interest ¾) D: Film 31/954 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 5 History of Property Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 Table 1. Chain of Title, 408 West Mendenhall Street, Bozeman, Montana. Grantor Grantee Date of Instrument Type of Instrument Property Description/Comments Reference Evan D. White Rosalyn W. White 9 February 1976 Warranty Deed Same (¼ interest – making Rosalyn White the sole owner) D: Film 31/2102 Rosalyn W. White Keith D. White 02 January 1992 Warranty Deed Same (reserving life estate to Evan G. White) D: Film 121/1494 Keith D. White Keith D. White and Clara A. White, Trustees of White Family Trust 10 July 1992 Trust Transfer Deed Same (reserving life estate to Evan G. White) D: Film 125/793 Evan G. White Evan G. White Living Trust 01 July 2005 Quit Claim Deed Same D: #2197305 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 6 Information Sources/Bibliography Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 INFORMATION SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY The Anaconda Standard [Anaconda, Montana] 1926 “Pioneer of Bozeman Answers Death Call.” 4 February. Anaconda, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/354353383/?terms=Robert%2BBaxter, accessed February 17, 2020. 1927 “Prominent Old Bozeman Resident is Summoned.” 12 January. Anaconda, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/350761842/?terms=Robert%2BBaxter, accessed February 8, 2020. Ancestry.com 2001 Montana, State Deaths, 1907-2016 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Provo, Utah. Electronic document, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=5437&h=890887&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=mrb2022&_phstart=successSource, accessed February 9, 2020. 2001 Montana, State Deaths, 1907-2016 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Provo, Utah. Electronic document, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi- bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=5437&h=888569&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=mrb2015&_phstart=successSource, accessed February 8, 2020. 2017 Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1987 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Lehi, Utah. Electronic document, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=61578&h=531497&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=2442, accessed February 10, 2020. 2017 Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908 [database on-line]. Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Lehi, Utah. Electronic document, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=61335&h=900174594&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=7163, accessed February 8, 2020. Archiveswest.com 2012 “Robert A. Baxter Papers, 1875-1893. Biographical Note.” Electronic document, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv95248, accessed February 8, 2020. The Bozeman Courier 1926 “Death Summons Mrs. R.A. Baxter.” 5 February. Bozeman, Motnana. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle [Bozeman, Montana] 1917 “Ages Woman Passes Away at Son’s Home.” 5 April. Bozeman, Montana. 2006 “Rosalyn W. White.” 17 June. Bozeman, Montana. Corvallis Gazette-Times [Corvallis, Oregon] 1967 “Friday Rites Due for Lillian Rohrer.” 29 November. Corvallis, Oregon. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/384400395/?terms=Lillian%2BRohrer, accessed February 9, 2020. Find A Grave 2004 Robert A. Baxter (1836 – 1927). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45264285/robert-a-baxter, accessed February 9, 2020. 2004 Mary E. Jones (1860 – 13 Mar 1925). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116116903, accessed February 8, 2020. 2004 Henry Rohrer (1866 – 1945). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51340863/henry-rohrer, accessed February 9, 2020. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 7 Information Sources/Bibliography Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 2004 Evan Dunreath White (29 Sep 1911 – 6 Feb 1980). Electronic document, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79134418/evan-dunreath-white, accessed February 9, 2020. Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder 1864-2019 Gallatin County Deeds. Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder, Bozeman, Montana. Gallatin County Tribune and Belgrade Journal [Bozeman, Montana] 1960 “George Baxter, Rancher, Financier, Banker, Dies.” 22 December. Bozeman, Montana. Great Falls Tribune [Great Falls, Montana] 1945 “Henry Rohrer, 79, Bozeman Merchant for 27 Years, Dies.” 13 November. Great Falls, Montana. Electronic document, https://www.newspapers.com/image/238270947/?terms=Henry%2BRohrer, accessed February 9, 2020. James R. McDonald Architects 1984 408 W Mendenhall St. Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory Form. Document on-file with the City of Bozeman. Bozeman, MT. R. L. Polk & Co. 1904-2010 Polk’s Bozeman (Gallatin County, Mont.) City Directories. R.L. Polk & Co., Kansas City, Missouri. Sanborn Map Company 1890-1943 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana (Nov 1884, Jul 1890, Nov 1891, Jan 1904, Sep 1912, Sep 1943). Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York. Statesman Journal [Salem, Oregon] 1967 “Lillian Rohrer.” 29 November. Salem, Oregon. https://www.newspapers.com/image/198922506/?terms=Lillian%2BRohrer, accessed February 9, 2020. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 8 Statement of Significance Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 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 property was first recorded in 1984 by James R. McDonald Architects. At that time, it was considered a “neutral element within a potential historic district.” Metcalf has reassessed the integrity of this site and finds it has experienced alterations over time, including the loss of historic windows, doors, and siding as well as the addition on the south elevation. While overall it is in good condition, it does not retain sufficient integrity to convey historic character. This site has been evaluated against the NRHP Criteria. It is found to lack individual significance for association with events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our history under Criterion A. The site has association with persons of historical significance under Criterion B, namely Robert A. Baxter, who bought the property in November of 1903. He was a director of the Commercial National Bank, an officer of the Bozeman Milling Company, and treasurer of the Farmer’s Canal Company (The Anaconda Standard 12 January 1927). The Baxter Hotel, a landmark in downtown Bozeman, was named after Robert A. Baxter. However, Metcalf does not find this to be a significant association that would qualify under Criterion B, as the Baxter family owned the property for nine years but never resided here. Due to the numerous modifications to the original windows, front entry, siding, and modern addition, the house does not retain sufficient integrity to convey its association with a particular style and period of construction under Criterion C. 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. Furthermore, due to its loss of historic integrity, if like-structures observed in the vicinity constituted a potential historic district, Metcalf recommends this site would be considered non-contributing. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 9 Integrity Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 INTEGRITY (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association) The site is in good condition, overall. Integrity of materials, design, workmanship, and feeling have been affected by new siding, the southern addition, and replaced windows and doors. Some corner vinyl siding is also dented. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 10 Photographs Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 Feature # 1 Facing: SW Description: Property 097. Oblique view (Image #1809, 10/19/2019. SLW). Feature # 1 Facing: NE Description: Property 097. Oblique view (Image #1807, 10/19/2019. SLW). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 11 Photographs Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 Feature # 1 & 2 Facing: N Description: Property 097. Back south elevation with shed in the foreground (Image #1805, 10/19/2019. SLW). Feature # 2 Facing: NE Description: Property 097. Oblique view of shed (Image #1806, 10/19/2019. SLW). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 12 Site Map Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 13 Topographic Map Property Name: 408 W MENDENHALL ST Site Number: 097