Miles City in Custer County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Olive Hotel

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

1. The Olive Hotel Marker

Inscription. Since the 1880s, Miles City has been the trade, service, and social center for Eastern Montana ranchers. After its famed McQueen House burned down, town booster Joseph Leighton built the Leighton, 1898-1899, which became an area landmark. Within a few years his son Alvin took over and renamed it the Olive Hotel. When the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway arrived here in 1908, the thriving economy called for expansion of the Olive, including a three-story addition to the rear. Architect Brynjulf Rivenes designed the new façade, lobby, and the east addition. Now the Olive also housed a cafe, barber shop, cigar and curio stand, buffet, and sample rooms, where ranchers and commercial travelers met. Two fireproof, poured concrete garages built in 1908 and 1912 demonstrate the rising importance of the automobile. The Olive Hotel stands as a symbol of the effects of post- World War I depression on this region. When thousands of homesteaders lost their lands because of drought and falling grain prices, the Olive’s business declined noticeably by the mid-1920s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 46° 24.356′ N, 105° 51.092′ W. Marker is in Miles City, Montana, in Custer County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and North 5th Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Main Street, Miles City MT 59301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country and in the Powder River Basin.

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: Commercial Block (within

The Olive Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

2. The Olive Hotel and Marker

The marker is on the porch to the left of the entrance.

shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Redd's Brick Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Horse History (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Horse Nation and Native People (about 400 feet away); Photography (about 400 feet away); The Chappel Brothers Corporation (about 400 feet away); Riverside Park Steamboats (about 400 feet away); Miles City Main Street Historic District (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miles City.

The Olive Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

3. The Olive Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 760 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.