HomeMy WebLinkAboutHarperBlock �ONTANA HISTORICAL AN
^RCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site � �
Legal Description: Original Townsite Lots Portion of 10/Blk D
Address: 237 East Main
Ownership:name: Waite Realty
C private address:
1` Dublic P.O. Box 1136 Roll}{ 82 Frame N 34
Historic Name: Harper Block
f r Common Name: Unknown
' estimated
1 Date of Construction: 1873 L documented
i Architect: Unknown
1 T —_T -f T �• -t -� Builder. Unknown
i l
Original Owner. Frank
Original Use: Blacksmith
Present Use: Commercial Structure
Research Sources:
ID abstract of title C city directories
i I 1
❑ plat recordslmaps sewerfwater permits
1
❑ tax cards E, obituaries
r r r i i
❑ building permit C biographies
Sanborn maps—dates: 1884
j
Bibliography:
W
Q } i L i Avant Courier, 4/20/1882
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structurelsite,then contrast and comparethat with it's original appearance,
noting additions,alterations,and changes in materials. Discuss significant architectural features.
This one-and-one-half story commercial structure has a rectangular plan with
corbeled arches over the original symmetrical openings and a keystone over the
central door. The original character/detail has been changed to two narrow
vertical windows under the larger central arched window, and an entrance under
one side with a fixed window under the other. A stone plaque has been situated
above the larger arched window in the center to read "F. Harper, 1873". The
brick construction has been sandblasted which has almost destroyed the original
brick. The flat built-up roof lies perpendicular to the street.
ORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structurelsite
,fir mounding area fend the property significance.
This property is significant because it is associated with a person important
to Bozeman history, Francis (Frank) harper. An early residence, Frank
Farper established his blacksmith business on the east end of Main Street ,
building a brick building in 1g73 for his business at 237 East Main. The
residence was occupied by the 11arpzr Family until after 1904. ,
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 histor€c/architectural development.
INTEGRITY: Assess the degree to which the structurelsite,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 materials and compatibility of use, setting and location.
INFORMATION VALUE: Explain how the extant structurelsite may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use or construc-
tion.
None.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name Ylr^[S R, r,'GrOr:A, r; ARCViT[GTS °T� Acreage:
Address: P. 0. BOX 8163 USGS Quad:
Date: MISSOULA, MONTANA .siq$p] ;.. UTM's:
Matth^.•: A. Cohen
237 E. Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, surveyor
Of high historical and architectural significance in the historic district,
being the second oldest building in the district (one of only two that date from
the 1870's) and an unusually elaborate example of a small blacksmith shop, this
brick building has undergone significant deterioration from sandblasting. The
building appears to be architecturally directly related to the Black building
(118 E. Main) . The building is also significant as the first home in Bozeman
of the Sebree, Ferris & White hardward business, which opened in Bozeman in
1882, and about five years later built its own much larger business block at
34-42 W. Main.
Harper collaborated in 1882 with S.H. Osborne in constructing the adjacent
Osborne Block (229-231 E. Main) , probably on land owned by Harper. The two
buildings stood together as an isolated unit from 1882 until the 1920's,
when 241 E. Main was built adjoining Harpers former shop.
The small , false fronted, gabled building appears to have borrowed several
architectural motifs from the impressive Black Building (118 E. Main) , which
was built in 1872 as one of the first brick buildings in Bozeman. The two
buildings may, in fact, be the work of the same masons, Messrs. Crowell (see
118 E. Main) . The three, key stoned, hood molded, round headed openings of
the facade echo the original first floor of the Black Building, which consisted
of an arcade of 11 similarly detailed, keystoned, round arched openings (none
remain) . In the parapet of this building are three small , round arched , blind
windows similar to those of the Black Building. The ornate brick cornice of
this building is very similar to that which originally topped the Black
Building, as seen in an 1872 photograph of Main St. (since replaced by a plain,
flush brick cornice.
Frank Harper probably displaced his name, and the date of construction, in a
sandstone date stone in the parapet, which bears the carved words : "F.
Harper/1873. " Harper also made a point of including "Harper' s Brick Blacksmith
Shop" in his numerous advertisements through the 1870' s and early 1880' s in the
Avant Courier (Avant Courier, February 3, 1881, p. 4) .
While the three arched facade openings have been partially bricked up and filled
with a door and irregular windows, the most significant alteration has been the
sandblasting of the facade, which, by removing the layer of vitrification,
has caused extensive pitting of the wall surface, which can only be remedied
by coating the surface with paint or sealer.
Sanborn Maps show this building serving a variety of functions after Sebree,
Ferris & White moved out in 1887, such as feed storage in 1889 (labeled simply:
"Feed") , and a plumber' s shop in 1890 and 1891 (labeled simple: "Plumbing") .
The building is presently vacant. The original fanlights of the two outer
openings remain intact beneath the present masking
Bibliography
Alderson, p. 26
Avant Courier, April 20, 1882, p. 3
Avant Courier, February 3, 1881, p. 4 (advertisement) .
Leeson, p. 1121
Sanborn Maps, 1884, 1889, 1890, 1891