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

Commercial Block

Main

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

1. Commercial Block Marker

Inscription. The I. Orschel and Brothers clothing firm first located on this site in 1878 in a small wood-frame building. Following a disastrous fire that leveled much of the block, local businessmen formed a syndicate to build this four-part commercial building designed by Byron Vreeland, Miles City’s first resident architect. Completed in the fall of 1885, John Carter’s Saloon (509), I. Orschel and Brothers Clothing Store (511), Miles and Strevell’s Hardware (513), and Basinski Brothers (515) were the original occupants. The combination of Romanesque, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne style detailing carries Vreeland’s architectural signature. Although the parapets and towers that originally graced the roofline have long been removed, the brownstone windowsills, polychrome tile, soft brick, and cast iron columns survive. The Orschels’ landmark business catered to local cowboys at this location until 1940. The brothers let cowboys keep their trunks on the upper floor until they came to town to change clothes. Inside, the original tin ceiling remains intact.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 24.362′ N, 105° 51.073′ W. Marker is in Miles City, Montana, in Custer County. It is on Main Street near North 5th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 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: Dr. Redd's Brick Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

2. Commercial Block Marker

Olive Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Miles City Main Street Historic District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kenney Block (Montana Saloon) (about 400 feet away); Early Horse History (about 400 feet away); The Horse Nation and Native People (about 400 feet away); Photography (about 400 feet away); The Chappel Brothers Corporation (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miles City.

Commercial Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

3. Commercial Block and Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

4. Tree Grate

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.