Glendive in Dawson County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Henry Dion Building
Merrill Avenue Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020
1. Henry Dion Building Marker
Inscription.
Henry Dion Building. Merrill Avenue Historic District. Fancy arches and other fine detailing highlight the façade of this commercial building, constructed as an investment in 1905 by pioneer Henry Dion. The outer walls are of softer, locally produced “Glendive brick” while quality imported brick covers the façade. In 1907, during Dion’s term as mayor, Glendive’s first water plant was constructed and water was piped to users in wooden mains. Dion constructed a two-story frame addition, providing his commercial and residential tenants with running water and bathroom facilities. Historic maps show the post office and a print shop, equipped with a noisy “hit-and-miss” one-cylinder gasoline engine, as the original first-floor tenets. William Ryan operated a saloon here in 1912 and during the 1920s, this was Lee’s Pool Hall. Many a youngster received his first haircut on the raised platform in Lee’s front corner barbershop. Frederic Dion, later owner of the five family buildings in this block, remembers it as a “frightening experience.”
Fancy arches and other fine detailing highlight the façade of this commercial building, constructed as an investment in 1905 by pioneer Henry Dion. The outer walls are of softer, locally produced “Glendive brick” while quality imported brick covers the façade. In 1907, during Dion’s term as mayor, Glendive’s first water plant was constructed and water was piped to users in wooden mains. Dion constructed a two-story frame addition, providing his commercial and residential tenants with running water and bathroom facilities. Historic maps show the post office and a print shop, equipped with a noisy “hit-and-miss” one-cylinder gasoline engine, as the original first-floor tenets. William Ryan operated a saloon here in 1912 and during the 1920s, this was Lee’s Pool Hall. Many a youngster received his first haircut on the raised platform in Lee’s front corner barbershop. Frederic Dion, later owner of the five family buildings in this block, remembers it as a “frightening experience.”
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition,
Location. 47° 6.238′ N, 104° 42.817′ W. Marker is in Glendive, Montana, in Dawson County. It 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: 114 South Merrill Avenue, Glendive MT 59330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Missouri River 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.
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 269 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
