HomeMy WebLinkAboutChineseStore r r � F , i io I U o- I�UAL D
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site
Legal Description: CONTACT
Address: 201 A E. Main St.
PHOTO
Ownership:Name: David P. & Josephine W. Vaughan
1a e address: 80051 Gallatin Rd. Bozeman, MT 59715 Roll a Frar-e a
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Historic Name: None
t � Common Name:
Unknown
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i Date of Construction: c.1890 ❑ documenied
t W Architect: None
N rT 7 if) • Builder: Unknown
QI f t t a Original Owner: Unknown
Original Use: Store/House of Prostitution
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Storage
Gt Present Use: Stora e
p_ RESEARCH SOURCES: Note all records consulted to determine
T dates of construction,original owners,builders,uses,etc.
r ^ Title Search: Tax Records:
Bldg.Permit: Census Records:
Z Sewer/Water: Sanborn Maps:
W f ; S I Directories:_ Newspapers:
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structure/site,then contrast and compare that with its original ap-
pearance,noting additions,alterations,and changes in materials.Discuss significant architectural features.
The approximately 45 foot square, eaves front, deteriorated brick first floor,
a smooth stucco second floor, and a low pitched gable roof. In the front of the
first floor are seven segmental arched openings. The outer and central ones
originally being wide windows, while the other four are doors (the westernmost
has been altered and is now rectangular) . The four upper floor windows are small I
and have 1/t sash. The west wall has only two small openings, wtnle the right
has been faced by a modern, stepped brick wall, with projecting piers for
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strength.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION: Describe the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/
site and surrounding area.
201 A E . Main - Significance
1985 revision
Matt Cohen , surveyor
One of only two buildings in the city ( and the only one in the
district) remaining from a small section of Chinese ghetto in
19th and early 20th century Bozeman , this structure , according to
David P . Vaughan , housed a Chinese store in the first floor ,
where he used to buy firecrackers as a boy in the 1920 ' s and
1930 ' s . The second floor was used as a Chinese house of prosti -
tution , and retains today garrish wallpaper , and several small
rooms with individual sinks . The second floor of 135 E . Main
was used for the same purpose by 1904 , and retains similar physical
evidence .
Sanborn Maps from 1884 through 1927 all show a large number of
irregular tenements , some marked specifically as " Chinese" , in
the area bounded by Bozeman , Rouse , Main , and the alley north of
Main . Specific dating of this structure from the maps is difficult .
The other building that remains from this slum district is 234 E
Mendenhall , c . 1890 , though it is substantially altered . Another
house of prostitution known to have been in this area , marked
simply as " female tenement" on Sanborn Maps , was located in a 1-
story brick building behind the Bozeman Hotel , and was demolished
in 1980 ( Bozeman Daily Chronicle , 1883-1983 , Pt II , p . 2 ) . A
Chinese laundry , Loy Laundry , is shown on all the Sanborn Maps ,
located directly across the street from the Carnegie Library
Building ( 35 N . Bozeman ) .
Bibliography
David P . Vaughan , interview , 9/5/85
Bozeman Daily Chronicle , 1883- 1983 , Pt . II , p . 2 .
Sanborn Maps , 1884 , _1890 , 1891 , 1904 , 1912 , 1927 .
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