Choteau in Teton County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Teton County Courthouse
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013
1. Teton County Courthouse Marker
Inscription.
Teton County Courthouse. . In 1906, Choteau's newspaper, the Acantha, proudly celebrated the completion of the new county courthouse. “This splendid edifice,” its editor predicted, “… will stand for years as a monument to the honor and integrity of all the people of the county.” Built of locally quarried sandstone, the two-and-one-half-story building has served its community for over a century. From 1893 to 1906, the county operated from rented rooms in several different buildings. By 1905, however, the need for a permanent courthouse was clear, at least to the residents of Choteau. Others further from the county seat had their doubts. When county commissioners proposed a $40,000 bond issue to construct a permanent courthouse, a spirited newspaper war ensued. The Choteau Acantha enthusiastically championed the bond measure. The Conrad Observer vehemently opposed it, motivated by the hope that Conrad might someday replace Choteau as county seat. Conrad achieved its political ambitions when the legislature carved Pondera County from Teton County in 1919. But it lost this early battle; the bond issue passed 366 to 316. Kalispell architects Joseph Gibson and George Shanley designed the building, likely adapting the plan from their 1903 design for Flathead County High School. Their plan successfully embodied the county's ambitions. The symmetrical façade, central three-story tower, bracketed cornice, arched entrances, and low hipped roof make the courthouse an excellent example of Renaissance Revival style architecture. Commonly used for large public buildings, the style denoted permanence and governmental authority, both important symbolic concepts for the young county. . This historical marker is in Choteau in Teton County Montana
In 1906, Choteau's newspaper, the Acantha, proudly celebrated the completion of the new county courthouse. “This splendid edifice,” its editor predicted, “… will stand for years as a monument to the honor and integrity of all the people of the county.” Built of locally quarried sandstone, the two-and-one-half-story building has served its community for over a century. From 1893 to 1906, the county operated from rented rooms in several different buildings. By 1905, however, the need for a permanent courthouse was clear—at least to the residents of Choteau. Others further from the county seat had their doubts. When county commissioners proposed a $40,000 bond issue to construct a permanent courthouse, a spirited newspaper war ensued. The Choteau Acantha enthusiastically championed the bond measure. The Conrad Observer vehemently opposed it, motivated by the hope that Conrad might someday replace Choteau as county seat. Conrad achieved its political ambitions when the legislature carved Pondera County from Teton County in 1919. But it lost this early battle; the bond issue passed 366 to 316. Kalispell
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architects Joseph Gibson and George Shanley designed the building, likely adapting the plan from their 1903 design for Flathead County High School. Their plan successfully embodied the county's ambitions. The symmetrical façade, central three-story tower, bracketed cornice, arched entrances, and low hipped roof make the courthouse an excellent example of Renaissance Revival style architecture. Commonly used for large public buildings, the style denoted permanence and governmental authority, both important symbolic concepts for the young county.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 47° 48.646′ N, 112° 10.939′ W. Marker is in Choteau, Montana, in Teton County. Marker is on Main Avenue South (U.S. 89) south of West Division Street (U.S. 287), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located on the Teton County Courthouse grounds, directly in front of the courthouse, on the right (west) side of the main front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Main Avenue South, Choteau MT 59422, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Agency on the Teton (approx. 3.8 miles away); Blackfeet and Buffalo (approx. 5 miles away); Egg Mountain (approx. 6.9 miles away).
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013
2. Teton County Courthouse (marker visible just right of the front entrance)
sectionhead>More about this marker. Marker is a large, laser-printed metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high metal post.
Regarding Teton County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #06001093 (2006)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
In 1906, Choteau's newspaper, the Acantha, proudly celebrated the completion of the new county courthouse. “This splendid edifice,” its editor predicted, “… will stand for years as a monument to the honor and integrity of all the people of the county.” Built of locally quarried sandstone, the two-and-one-half-story building has served its community for over a century. From 1893 to 1906, the county operated from rented rooms in several different buildings. By 1905, however, the need for a permanent courthouse was clear—at least to the residents of Choteau. Others further from the county seat had their doubts. When county commissioners proposed a $40,000 bond issue to construct a permanent courthouse, a spirited newspaper war ensued. The Choteau Acantha enthusiastically championed the bond measure. The Conrad Observer vehemently opposed it, motivated by the hope that Conrad might someday replace Choteau as county seat. Conrad achieved its political ambitions when the legislature carved Pondera County from Teton County in 1919. But it lost this early battle; the bond issue passed 366 to 316. Kalispell
