HomeMy WebLinkAboutOsborneBlock MONTANA HISTORICAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY [Site
Legal Description: Original Townsite Lots Portion 8-9/Blk D n1`7m r yr*
rg7 01 „ IA
Address:
229 East Main - 231 East Main '`- ''
s Ownership:name: Steve Killorn (Richard McClure, PO Box 3588,
1-4 private address: Goldq,t% Owner of 231 ) Roll 82 Frame a 33
public 6303fWest Terrace, Bi lin ' T 59106
j yl CA)a E=yv I - Historic Name: 0 bor e Block
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i Common Name: UnknnWn
1882 ❑ estimated
f 7 1 Date of Construction: X7 documented
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1
Architect:
T-- _T — Builder: linknnwn
Original Owner
i 31 Original Use: Bank/Drugstore
Present Use:
��- Research Sources:
- T 1 _T ( I 1i ., EJ abstract of title ❑ clty direclones
't I k ❑ plat records/maps f✓ sewerlwater permits
I
111 �1�� JJJ ❑ tax cards F_' obituaries
w
t I �! ❑ building permit ❑ biographies
� Sanbcrn maps—dales: 1884
Z Bibliography:
,. LJ
i
Leesons 1884 - engraving
Avant Courier, 4/20/1882
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 tv.,o-story cornercial structure has a symmetrical facade with a projectine
of z,,rharo of er Ore Storer ror" 1R.i jli irse— Or; of e iiS . '1
main floor are storefront and the upper story features 2/2 double-hung with
arched tops. The windows have corbeled arches with keystones and stone lintels
with carved bands running through the center. The brick construction features
a decorative metal cornice. The flat built-up roof lies parallel to the street.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure.s
and surrounding area Send the property significance.
This property is significant because it is associated with the early commercial
development of Bozeman and a person important to its history, S. II. Osborne.
Born in 1863 in Ohio, he studied medicine. Ile followed the gold strikes to
Colorado and Fontana and settled in Bozeman in 1871 as a druggist.
This structure is potentially eligible for the National Register because
of its historical associations and because of its architectural significance.
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 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 orconstruc-
lion.
None.
FORM PREPARED BY: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Name errs R, ' �P�NIT �C D.G. Acreage:
Address: P. C' FOX 8163 USGS Quad:
Date: h;ISSOULA, MONTANA 59807 UTrVI's:
�`b 193 REVISED
Matthrrfi A. C^hen
Rnzer-i-�n, Flontann
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229-231 E. Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, surveyor
A typical example of the Italianate style, the Osborne Block is the largest
commercial block in the district remaining from the mid-1880' s building boom
that accompanied the arrival of the railroad. It was built in 1882 by Dr. S.H.
Osborne who followed the gold strikes to Colorado and Montana, and eventually
settled in Bozeman in 1871, deciding to engage in his former business as druggist,
rather than physician. Osborne built the block in collaboration with Frank
Harper, whose small , 1873 brick blacksmith shop stands adjacent to it on the
east (237 E. Main) , and who apparently owned the land. The two buildings stood
together as an isolated unit until the 1920's , when 241 E. Main was built
adjoining them to the east of Harper' s shop.
The business block originally housed Osborne's drug store, and the Sebree,
Ferris & White banking house, on the first floor (the latter business being
located in Harper' s blacksmith shop building beginning in 1882; see 34-42 W.
Main for history of that business) . In the second floor, the first occupants
were the businesses of Eastman House, and Imes & Hartman (Alderson, 1883, p.26) .
Later occupants, in additon to Osborne' s drug business (according to Sanborn
Maps) included a hardware store through 1889, and beginning in 1890, a millinery
(ladies hat store) , and a grocery and feed store. In 1891 an insurance company
and the Northern Pacific express office were renting offices in the second floor.
Osborne and Harper built a nearly identical Italianate style block, also in 1882,
across the street (on the site of the Hotel Baltimore) for L.S. Willson & Co.
(Avant Courier, May 21, 1882, p. 3) Both Osborne and L.S. Willson at different
times started their businesses in Bozeman in the first commercial structure
built in the town, the log Masonic Temple built in 1866 on the site of the
present Masonic Temple (137 E. Main; see 101 E. Main for history of L.S . Willson
& Co. ) .
Both storefronts of this building have been remodeled, and in August, 1985,
and the three easternmost 2/2 sash windows have been replaced by single-
light windows with transoms. The building otherwise retains high integrity.
Bibliography
Avant Courier, April 20, 1882, p. 3
Avant Courier, May 21, 1882, p. 3
Alderson, p. 11