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.
Commercial Block. Main. 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.
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.
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 Olive Hotel
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020
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 235 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
