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

Smith Saloon

Wibaux Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

1. Smith Saloon Marker

Inscription. Constructed during Wibaux’s transition period from a cattle town into an agricultural center, this Queen Anne commercial style building originally housed the Smith Saloon. Partners William H. Smith, John R. Cornell, and W. H. North built the saloon between 1904 and 1906 and later sold the business to W. H. Rucker, who operated it until 1917 when he sold the property to the State Bank of Yates. Renamed the Wibaux County Bank, it operated out of here until its failure. In 1923, Wibaux County purchased the building for use as the county courthouse and jail. Since 1952, the City Hall and the public library have occupied the space. The Smith Saloon is an excellent example of early-twentieth-century commercial architecture, with front parapet and battlements, corner pilasters, a tiered belt course with modillions, recessed doorway, and a concrete hood with ornamental concrete support brackets. A primary structure in the historic district, the building remains as the best representative of early Wibaux County government.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics

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• Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 46° 59.192′ N, 104° 11.278′ W. Marker is in Wibaux, Montana, in Wibaux County. It is on North Wibaux Street near 1st Avenue Southwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 North Wibaux Street, Wibaux MT 59353, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outheast Montana in Custer Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: Clark Hardware Company (a few steps from this marker); Wibaux Commercial Historic District (a few steps from

Smith Saloon and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

2. Smith Saloon and Marker

this marker); Wibaux House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pierre Wibaux (about 400 feet away); St. Peter's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Join the Voyage of Discovery (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Dinosaur Country (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Pierre Wibaux (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wibaux.

Also see . . . The Swellest bar in the West -- Gary Gillman's Beer et seq. The menu above is an exception. Its full text can be seen here, a full-page ad in the Wibaux Pioneer of Montana, July 25, 1907. The building where the saloon was located is today Wibaux’ library. Many features of the original construction survive. The menu of the Exchange Saloon is the counterpart to today’s online menus, except it appeared in a newspaper. Given we are talking about Montana and a small locality, it made sense for the saloon to trumpet its wares this way. Inbound rail passengers would have picked up the Pioneer as they left the train.

Interested in Beer History? Check out Gary Gillman's blog. (Submitted on December 27, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.