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

Kelly Residence

East Main Street Residential Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

1. Kelly Residence Marker

Inscription. Sometimes called “labor’s aristocracy,” locomotive engineers were the highest paid workers on the railroad. That fact gave William Kelly, an engineer for the Milwaukee Road, the means to purchase this one-story home. In 1920 he lived here with his wife, Nellie, their three-year-old son, and his wife’s sister. Building contractor Carl Anderson constructed the residence in 1917; he almost certainly took the design from a pattern book. These books of architectural plans allowed local builders to bring the latest fashions to relatively isolated communities like Miles City. A classic Craftsman style bungalow, the Kelly residence features a low-pitched roof; exposed rafter tails; wide, overhanging eaves; and a full-length front porch (now enclosed). Japanese architecture inspired its distinctive roofline. Japan widely promoted its art and architecture through the 1893 Columbian Exposition and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Architects responded, incorporating Japanese elements into their residential designs. Anderson must have liked the exotic flavor of the flared eaves and molded gable peaks; he built several other bungalows

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in Miles City that sported similar “pagoda-style” roofs.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and the Montana National Register Sign Program series lists.

Location. 46° 24.521′ N, 105° 50.387′ W. Marker is in Miles City, Montana, in Custer County. It is on North Cottage Grove Avenue near Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 North Cottage Grove Avenue, 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

Kelly Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 11, 2020

2. Kelly Residence and Marker

The marker is at the right corner of the house.

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: Cresap / Smart House (within shouting distance of this marker); Graves Funeral Home (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pope House (about 800 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Foster House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Miles City East Main Street Residential Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry J. Horton Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rinehart House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miles City.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.