North Elevation in Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Tenth Avenue Grocery

North Elevation Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

1. Tenth Avenue Grocery Marker

Inscription. One of two existing storefronts in the North Elevation Historic District, this one-story Western Commercial style grocery store features a stylized stepped parapet and large display windows. Sam Chichas, the Greek proprietor of a grocery on North Twenty-fifth Street, opened his second market here in 1921. When announcing his new venture, he promised to keep “a complete line of staple and fancy groceries ... on hand.” Chichas soon changed his mind about branching out, however, and in 1924 Canadian immigrant William MacFarquhar purchased the building. MacFarquhar, who renamed the business the Tenth Avenue Grocery, personally managed the store until his retirement in 1939. In the early 1930s, he and his wife Margaret lived on the premises with their teenaged son. Other longtime owners included Carl and Madaline Clavadetscher, who purchased the market in the 1950s. Close to McKinley Elementary School, the grocery, which carried a large stock of penny candy, was beloved by local children. Through its many owners, the store remained a neighborhood gathering site and service-oriented business that, into the 1990s,

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offered home delivery and credit to long-time customers.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 45° 47.308′ N, 108° 31.106′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is in North Elevation. It is on 10th Avenue North near North 32nd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3115 10th Avenue North, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

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: 1109 North 31 Street

Tenth Avenue Grocery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

2. Tenth Avenue Grocery and Marker

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); North Elevation Historic District (about 500 feet away); 1040 North 31 Street (about 500 feet away); 901 North 32 Street (about 700 feet away); 1102 North 31 Street (about 700 feet away); 1110 North 31 Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1109 North 32 Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1111 North 31 Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Billings.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.