HomeMy WebLinkAboutPhillipsBookStore MONTANA HISTORICAL AN
ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY Site#
Legal Description:_ Original Townsite Lots Portion of 2 all 3 & 4 Blk E m►�• ter': `^a�
Address: 107-111-113 East Main
O vnership:name: Phillips Book Store Inc.
address: Box 280 Roll# 82 Frame# 21
j�l�'►� �U f�:jl l ' -r}j�Y�}p.,t 1�J f Historic Name: Nevitt's
LI B R A I' Y „ Common Name: Unknown
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i !t Date of Construction: 1888 :E documented
l Architect:
rj` T- Builder: lInknown
Original Owner: William M. Npvitt
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Original Use:Vacant , hardware and
- Present Use:
!i 1 f ! ! 1 f-�j Research Sources:
1 r T '1 1 T ; T T i ❑ abstract of title I_I city directories
TI I It ❑ plat records/maps ❑ sewer/water permits
I I I ❑ tax cards ❑obituaries
y ❑ building permit ❑ biographies
ZT -•+`1 ❑ Sanborn maps—dates:
tl_.i Bibliography:
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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 square plan with an inset
front entrance and projecting rectangular bay to one side with an entrance to
the upper floors. The symmetrical facade has aluminum storefront windows and
a central entrance, as well as the side entrance through the extended bay.
The original arched windowsin the upper level have been infilled with brick
and aluminum sliding windows. There are cut stone designs over the window
arches and a continuous stone sill form a band across the building. The brick
construction has been painted and has a flat built-up roof.
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HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Justify how the persons,important events,and/or historical patterns associated with the structure/site
and surrounding area lend the property significance.
This property is significant because it is associated with a person
important to Bozeman history, William Nevitt. An early Main Street
businessman, William M. Nevitt established a hardware shop between
Bozeman and Rouse Avenues on Main Street. Following a fire in 1887,
Nevitt rebuilt in 1888 at 107-113 East Main. In 1901, Nevitt built
another business block, "The Gallatin" at the southwest corner of
Bozeman Avenue and Main Street. A dry goods shop "The Faire" occupied
the street level space for many years.
This structure qualifies as a contributing element within a potential historic
district due to its association with the commercial aspect of the Civic
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 original design and materials and continuity 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 JAMES R. MCDONALD ARCHITECTS P.C. Acreage:
Address: P. 0. BUX 8163 USES Quad:
Date: MISSO LA MONTANA 59807 UTM's:
REVISED
Matthew A. Cohen
�"`'"'gin, h7onf<na
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5irf Up ��i1�)
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107-113 E. Main
1985 revision
Matt Cohen, surveyor
Built to replace a modest, frame hardware store following a fire in 1887, the once
very impressive brick Nevitt Block is evidence of a thriving economy in Bozeman in
the late 1880's. Though the building retains enough of its original design and
detailing to represent its period of construction in the district and qualify as a
contributing element in the district, it is of only marginal significance due to
considerable loss of integrity.
The seemingly out of place second bay of the facade, which bears an ornate date
stone was originally surmounted by a square tower with a pyramidal roof - a feature
that diversified an otherwise symmetrical , vernacular Romanesque style facade.
Not only are the tower and cornice presently missing, but all upper floor windows
are either partially or fully bricked up, and all storefronts have been replaced.
The building however, appears to retain the original transom that spanned all the
storefronts (though it is presently covered) . Decorative brickwork forms wall
pilasters, string courses and rounded hood moldings.
The fire of December 29, 1887, which left a 200 foot gap in Main Street and caused
an estimated $40,000 damage, expedited the replacement of the first generation of
frame commercial blocks on Main St. with brick ones. It started in the frame
hardware store of William M. Nevitt, whose enthusiastic newspaper advertisements
throughout the 1880' s proclaimed: "Hardware for the People!" (Avant Courier,
October 4, 1880, p. 3) . Following the fire, Nevitt built what the Avant Courier
termed a " . . . splended new store - one of the most elegant in the town or territory. . "
(Avant Courier, September 27, 1888 p. 3) .
The building had room for four stores, and according to Sanborn Maps, housed
diverse businesses at various times into the 1890's in addition to Nevitt's
hardware store, such as saloons and billiard halls, a photo gallery, a clothing
and furniture store, and beginning in 1892, a jewelry, book and stationary store.
The latter was opened by a Mr. Burket, in the central store of the block, as the
Gallatin Book and Stationary Store. Sherman G. Phillips bought the store in 1897
along with A.M. Ryon, and sold primarily Blickensderfer typewriters. The name was
changed at that time to Phillips Book Store, which owns and occupies the building
today. In 1940, Farmer Anderson and Harold Arnold took over the business.
Nevitt also built the Gallatin Block (40-42 E. Main) in 1901.
Bibliography
Sanborn Maps, 1889, 1890, 1904
Wayne Berg and J. Bruce Anderson, "The Nevitt Building," undergraduate research
paper, 1969.
Avant Courier September 6, 20, 27, 1888, p. 3
Avant Courier October 4, 1880
Ellsworth, p. 11.