Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Labor Temple

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

1. Labor Temple Marker

Inscription. In 1896, a Union Hall was constructed here on property donated by copper magnate Marcus Daly. That building served as local headquarters for unions affiliated with Federal Union Local 83, the precursor of the building trade unions that later organized into separate crafts. When first completed, the facility also housed Missoula’s only theater and hosted the town’s 1896 Democratic Convention. By 1904, fifteen unions were affiliated with the Missoula Trade and Labor Council. These included the Stationary Engineers, Federal Labor Union No. 43, Printers, Carpenters, Woodworkers, Cooks and Waiters, Plumbers, Lumber Workers, Farmers, Barbers, Electricians, Retail Clerks, Painters, and Bricklayers. The original wood-frame union hall burned in 1911, and construction of a new building was not begun until 1916. When the present temple opened in 1917, the second and third floors housed union, lodge, and dance facilities. The ground floor and basement accommodated a Dodge automobile dealership. Though the windows are now infilled with glass blocks and the street level bays remodeled, the upper façade with its metal cornice, pilasters,

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and decorative capitals reflects the period’s Prairie style of commercial architecture. Owned by the Union Hall Company (in which local unions own stock) since 1908, the temple is Missoula’s only building clearly associated with the growth of the national labor movement.

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 46° 52.241′ N, 113° 59.556′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is on East Main Street near North Pattee Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 East Main Street, Missoula MT 59802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Glacier 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,

Labor Temple and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

2. Labor Temple and Marker

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: BPOE Lodge #383 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Federal Building & United States Post Office (about 400 feet away); Newton Residence and Shop (about 400 feet away); Missoula Mercantile Warehouse (about 400 feet away); Dixon-Duncan Block (about 600 feet away); Free Speech Corner (about 700 feet away); Headquarters Building and Daily Company Annex (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph Dixon Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Labor Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

3. Labor Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.