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

Furstnow House

Carriage House Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

1. Furstnow House Marker

Inscription. Born in Wisconsin, Al Furstnow settled permanently in Miles City in 1894 and became the major saddler in the northwest. In 1895, Furstnow commissioned Byron Vreeland to build this Queen Anne style home, unusual because the architect usually designed in brick. The previous year Furstnow opened Al Furstnow’s Saddle Shop on Main Street in a Vreeland-designed building. Credited with making the first flower hand-stamped saddles in Miles City for Britain’s Lord Sidney Paget, Furstnow outfitted Leigh Remington of Remington Arms and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show for their Paris exhibition. The bay window heads are embellished with carved medallions in a motif that is continued throughout the interior. The residence retains the original tall ceilings and detailing, including a fan-trimmed arch and four brass and stained-glass chandeliers, one being in the form of a British Crown. Remodeling in 1910 modernized the house with Craftsman details to reflect Miles City’s financial status during the homestead boom. The home remained in the Furstnow family until the late 1980s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and

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series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 24.521′ N, 105° 50.74′ W. Marker is in Miles City, Montana, in Custer County. It is on Pleasant Street near North 11th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Pleasant 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: Carriage House Historic District (within shouting

Furstnow House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

2. Furstnow House and Marker

distance of this marker); Ulmer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennie / Howe House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John and Anna Gibb House (about 500 feet away); Alderson House (about 500 feet away); McAusland House (about 500 feet away); 1005 Palmer (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miles City.

Furstnow House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

3. Furstnow House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.