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

1125 North 31 Street

North Elevation Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

1. 1125 North 31 Street Marker

Inscription. This classic example of an American Foursquare house with Prairie style details was completed by 1916 when photographer Frank Crosby was hired to capture the fashionable new North Elevation subdivision. The term Foursquare describes the house’s floorplan, which featured a central hall and four equal-size rooms on each floor. The house’s graceful curvilinear rafter tails supporting the wide overhangs and its full-width front porch are its strongest Prairie style elements. While most of the houses in the neighborhood were built with open front porches, 1125’s porch was originally screened. Tailor Frank Burns and his wife Annie, an organist, lived here a short time, followed in 1925 by pharmacist Frank V. Patterson and his wife, Minnie. Frank and Minnie lived here for twenty years and ran two locations of the Patterson Pharmacy, one in the Hart-Albin building and one on Minnesota Avenue. Frank served three terms on the Montana Board of Pharmacy, which was created by the legislature in 1905 to regulate the profession. Socially, he was active in the Knights of Columbus, while Minnie was a member of the Rebekah Lodge.

Erected by Montana

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Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 45° 47.472′ N, 108° 31.192′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is in North Elevation. It is on North 31st Street near 12th Avenue North, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1125 North 31st Street, 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: 1123 North 31 Street (a few steps from this marker); 1119 North 31 Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1115 North 31 Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1143 North 31 Street

1125 North 31 Street Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

2. 1125 North 31 Street Residence and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Robert (Bob) Martin (within shouting distance of this marker); 1111 North 31 Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1147 North 31 Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1110 North 31 Street (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.