Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Deer Lodge County Courthouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022

1. Deer Lodge County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. The valley known by Native Americans as “Lodge of the White Tailed Deer” officially became Deer Lodge County when this area was part of the Territory of Idaho. After the creation of the Territory of Montana in 1864, the first territorial legislature named Deer Lodge one of Montana's original nine counties. The town seat, first located at Silver Bow and then Deer Lodge, moved to Anaconda in 1896. A bond election in 1898 assured funding for the construction of a county courthouse. County Clerk Martin Martin suggested placing the building at the head of Main Street rather than in the middle of the block so that “A stranger visiting Anaconda has no need to ask where the court house is.” Architects Charles F. Bell and John N. Kent, who also drew the plans for the State Capitol in Helena, were commissioned to design the building. Deer Lodge County officials moved from Anaconda's City Hall into the new facility in the spring of 1900. The grand Neo-classical style building, constructed of buff-colored dressed sandstone, features a central two-tiered, domed tower. On the interior, the dome's painted ribs

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dramatically simulate structural members. Frescoes and county seals by Consolidated Artists of Milwaukee, Wisconsin adorn the panels between the “ribs.” Other interior appointments include an ornate spiral staircase of oak with marble treads, oak bannisters and cast iron risers. Decorative square cast iron newel posts, originally capped with electric lights, are especially noteworthy.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 46° 7.399′ N, 112° 57.309′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and West 8th Street when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is located on the Deer Lodge County Courthouse grounds, beside the sidewalk, on the right side of the courthouse main front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Main Street, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America.

Deer Lodge County Courthouse Marker (<i>wide view; courthouse main entrance in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2016

2. Deer Lodge County Courthouse Marker (wide view; courthouse main entrance in background)

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Butte-Anaconda Historic District (a few steps from this marker); St. Mark's Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Judge George B. Winston Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tuttle Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); 504 Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fred Clark Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hearst Free Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Washoe Theater (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

More about this marker. Marker is a large, laser-printed metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high metal post.

Related markers. Click here

Deer Lodge County Courthouse (<i>marker visible near entrance, on right side of sidewalk</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2016

3. Deer Lodge County Courthouse (marker visible near entrance, on right side of sidewalk)

for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark District

Also see . . . Anaconda Historic District, Deer Lodge County Courthouse. The Deer Lodge County Courthouse was constructed 1898-1899. It is a three-story stone structure with a central stone tower resting on steel. The building's interior includes a switchback staircase, and a rotunda with overhead dome. Abutting the south end of Main Street, the Deer Lodge County Courthouse is the terminus of the north end of the city's central corridor. In 1932 complete stencils were made of the Interior Frescoes for the purpose of repainting. Again in 1973, renovation of the courthouse was undertaken. (Submitted on January 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Deer Lodge County Courthouse (<i>northeast corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2016

4. Deer Lodge County Courthouse (northeast corner view)

Deer Lodge County Courthouse (<i>wide view from Main Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2016

5. Deer Lodge County Courthouse (wide view from Main Street)

Deer Lodge County War Memorial (<i>located at front of courthouse grounds facing Main Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2016

6. Deer Lodge County War Memorial (located at front of courthouse grounds facing Main Street)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 9, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.