Glendive in Dawson County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Dion Brothers Building
Merrill Avenue Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020
1. Dion Brothers Building Marker
Inscription.
Dion Brothers Building. Merrill Avenue Historic District. Henry Dion built this brick building circa 1894 to expand his mercantile business. In 1908, he sold it to his two eldest sons, Harry N. and Fred. The brothers enlarged the original one-story building in 1910, adding a second story with apartments and a new façade. The four original shops were converted to one large general merchandise store that catered to the homesteaders then pouring into Dawson County. The business included an International Harvester farm equipment outlet across the street. The brothers, who themselves had a ranch on Belle Prairie, stocked everything imaginable from a spool of thread to a team of horses. Smaller purchases, wrapped with paper and tied with string, had to be secure enough to be carried many miles on horseback. Miles City architect Brynjulf Rivenes designed the stunning Neoclassical style façade, which features extensive brick and sandstone detailing. Note the “Dion Bros.” inscription and decorative lions’ heads, perhaps a reminder that the French-Canadian name, Dion, was Americanized to rhyme with lion.
Henry Dion built this brick building circa 1894 to expand his mercantile business. In 1908, he sold it to his two eldest sons, Harry N. and Fred. The brothers enlarged the original one-story building in 1910, adding a second story with apartments and a new façade. The four original shops were converted to one large general merchandise store that catered to the homesteaders then pouring into Dawson County. The business included an International Harvester farm equipment outlet across the street. The brothers, who themselves had a ranch on Belle Prairie, stocked everything imaginable from a spool of thread to a team of horses. Smaller purchases, wrapped with paper and tied with string, had to be secure enough to be carried many miles on horseback. Miles City architect Brynjulf Rivenes designed the stunning Neoclassical style façade, which features extensive brick and sandstone detailing. Note the “Dion Bros.” inscription and decorative lions’ heads, perhaps a reminder that the French-Canadian name, Dion, was Americanized to rhyme with lion.
Location. 47° 6.245′ N, 104° 42.828′ W. Marker is in Glendive, Montana, in Dawson County. Marker is on South Merrill Avenue near West Bell Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 South Merrill Avenue, Glendive MT 59330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020
2. Dion Brothers Building and Marker
The marker is at the left end of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
