HomeMy WebLinkAboutMontgomeryWardBuilding #"ONT'ANA HISTORICAL AN
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site
Legal Description- Original Townsite Lots 1 Portion of 2/Blk D
.,r
Address:
201 East Main
3 _r
Ownership: name:
Vau han's f
O p °ate address: Roll k 82 Frame k 28
.� public 201- Enst Main
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Historic Name: Unknown
Common Name: Unknown
❑ estimated
1 Date of Construction: 1928 ® documented
I Architect: Unknown
Y Builder. Unknown
Original Owner: Dawes Tpinrovement Co.
1 Original Use: Commercial Structure
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Present use: Commercial Structure
'I JI M-f k� Research Sources:
4 T , ❑ abstract of title F city direclones
T 11 ,
❑ plat recordslmaps '� sevrerlwater permits
❑ lax cards r-- obituaries
i v J
❑ building permit �' b,ographles
Q 2Sanborn maps—dales
L-- rd � Bibliography:
UJ � 1 ' 1927
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Department of Sanitation
PHYSICAL.DESCRIPTION: Describe present appearance of structurelsite,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 flat
overhang at street level . The asymmetrical facade consists of an off-center
front entrance with aluminum storefront windows at street level and three round-
topped windows of a central fixed flanked by 1/1 double-hungs on the second story.
The brick construction is finished in ceramic tile under the storefront windows ,
but otherwise is the original brick with terra cotta detailing. It sits on a
granite block foundation and has a flat built-up roof, which lies perpendicular
to the street.
i HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/site
and surrounding area lend the property significance.
Research in the sources consluted in this survey has not yielded any
significant historical information concerning persons or events associated
with this property.
This structure qualifies as a contributing element within a potential historic
district due to its association with the commercial aspect of the Vil ]age
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 design and materials and continuity of use, setting and location.
INFORMATION VALUE: Explain how the extant structure/site may demonstrate or yield information about its historic use or construc-
tion.
None.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Nyn-- JAMES R. WDONAI-p ARGNIIrCTS o- r.G. Acreage:
ass: P. 0. BOX 8163 USGS Quad:
F MISSOULA, MONTANA 5980-7 UTM's:
1984 �:IMSED
Matthew A. Cohen
00zeman. Montana
201 East Main, Bozeman
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, Surveyor
The most significant of local architect Fred F. Willson's commercial designs
in Bozeman, this fine example of an early 20th Century department store was
built by the Dawes Improvement Co, for the specific purpose of leasing to the
Montgomery Ward Co. The structure was built in 1928, just one year before the
J .C. Penny Co. , another of the three major department stores to do business
in the district in the first half of this century, opened in the ground floor
of the Fechter Hotel. J.C. Penny constructed the present facade of 9 E. Main
in 1937, while the F.W. Woolworth Co. , the other of the three, constructed the
present facade of 36--36 1/2 E. Main in 1950.
According to Charles Vandenhook, Montgomery Ward opened several branch
stores all over the country around 1927. In an effort to keep investments in
merchandise rather than real estate, the chain arranged for others, such as
Dawes and his associates, to construct suitable buildingsfor the department
store to occupy on a pre-arranged lease basis.
David P. Vaughn remembers that Montgomery Ward's was the most modern retail
building in the city when built, containing an elevator and freight Shute, among
other novelties. The building has only one formal facade, while the west wall,
clearly visible from Main St. is virtually unornamented. (Compare with the Story
Building, 33-39 E. Main and the Willson Co. at 101 E. Main, which each have
two formal facades.)
The site of this building was originally occupied by the Laclede Hotel,
later know as the Metropolitan Hotel. Built in 1870, the 2 story building,
which had a full balcony facing Main St. , was the second brick building to be
built in Bozeman (Bozeman Courier, August 12, 1925, p.1) , and the leading hotel
before the construction of the Bozeman Hotel in 1890.
In 1967, Vaughn's furniture store, the present occupant, moved in and remodeled
the storefront to its present appearance - a very significant example of 1960's
storefront design, displaying stainless steel trim and a marquee supporting
free standing letters that spell: "Vaughn's". Montgomery Ward presumably moved
to its present location on North 7th Ave. at that time, following the introduction
of "strip" development there.
Bibliography
David P. Vaughn, interview 9/7/85
Larry Veltkamp, interview 9/3/85
Application for sewer connection: September B, 1928, Dawes Improvement Co. ,
201 E. Main; sketch map labels building "Montgomery Ward Building".
Charles Vandenhook, interview 9/7/85
Bozeman Courier, August 12, 1925, p.l
Fred F. Willson Job List, 1928, job #2832, "Store for Montgomery Ward - Dawes
Building Co.- Bozeman"
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