Havre in Hill County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
A.D. Smith House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019
1. A.D. Smith House Marker
Inscription.
A.D. Smith House. . Alexander “Nosey” D. Smith came to Havre as a Great Northern Railroad conductor when the first trains came through town in the mid-1890s. He purchased two lots for $5 in 1897 and built this late Victorian Folk style home in 1902. Multi-light windows and the steeply pitched roof with rolled edges are reminiscent of an English cottage while Craftsman style elements include the tapered front columns. Inside, oak stair treads become pine as the stairway turns the corner. This may seem an expression of thrift, but the upstairs fixtures are silver. Smith, noted for his own beautifully kept yard, served several terms as street commissioner, transforming Havre’s streets from irregular, unsightly lanes into boulevards. He also installed both styles of the town’s first streetlights. Smith’s wife, Jennie, gave voice lessons and the couple had one son, Harry. Smith died in 1915. In 1926, Jennie sold the house to Dr. Arthur Husser and his wife, Rae. Dr. Husser’s surgical practice was on First Street and his wife was a nurse at the Havre Clinic.
Alexander “Nosey” D. Smith came to Havre as a Great Northern Railroad conductor when the first trains came through town in the mid-1890s. He purchased two lots for $5 in 1897 and built this late Victorian Folk style home in 1902. Multi-light windows and the steeply pitched roof with rolled edges are reminiscent of an English cottage while Craftsman style elements include the tapered front columns. Inside, oak stair treads become pine as the stairway turns the corner. This may seem an expression of thrift, but the upstairs fixtures are silver. Smith, noted for his own beautifully kept yard, served several terms as street commissioner, transforming Havre’s streets from irregular, unsightly lanes into boulevards. He also installed both styles of the town’s first streetlights. Smith’s wife, Jennie, gave voice lessons and the couple had one son, Harry. Smith died in 1915. In 1926, Jennie sold the house to Dr. Arthur Husser and his wife, Rae. Dr. Husser’s surgical practice was on First Street and his wife was a nurse at the Havre Clinic.
Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture •
Location. 48° 33.093′ N, 109° 40.796′ W. Marker is in Havre, Montana, in Hill County. Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 3rd Street, Havre MT 59501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
