North Elevation in Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
1143 North 31 Street
North Elevation Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020
1. 1143 North 31 Street Marker
Inscription.
1143 North 31 Street. North Elevation Historic District. pedimented entryway and multi-pane transom window are among the Greek Revival style elements that decorate this side-gable brick home, built c. 1932 for Julius and Anna Clavadetscher. A talented cellist, Julius played with the Minneapolis Symphony before moving to Billings in 1917, where he joined a musical ensemble that accompanied silent pictures at the Strand Theater. In addition to working as a union musician, he founded and directed the Ladies Ensemble in 1926 and taught thousands of Billings students as the longtime junior high and high school music teacher. Starting in 1929, he also directed the Rotary Boys Band, without whom, a 1940 newspaper article declared, “no public parade in Billings is complete.” Anna, who lived here until her death in 1954, was prominent in Yellowstone County Democratic circles. She served as vice chair of the county central committee, congressional committeewoman from the second district, president of the Democratic Women’s Club, and delegate to the 1949 presidential inauguration of Harry Truman. All of the Clavadetscher children played music; Carl followed his mother into politics, serving as Billings mayor from 1959 to 1962.
pedimented entryway and multi-pane transom window are among the Greek Revival style elements that decorate this side-gable brick home, built c. 1932 for Julius and Anna Clavadetscher. A talented cellist, Julius played with the Minneapolis Symphony before moving to Billings in 1917, where he joined a musical ensemble that accompanied silent pictures at the Strand Theater. In addition to working as a union musician, he founded and directed the Ladies Ensemble in 1926 and taught thousands of Billings students as the longtime junior high and high school music teacher. Starting in 1929, he also directed the Rotary Boys Band, without whom, a 1940 newspaper article declared, “no public parade in Billings is complete.” Anna, who lived here until her death in 1954, was prominent in Yellowstone County Democratic circles. She served as vice chair of the county central committee, congressional committeewoman from the second district, president of the Democratic Women’s Club, and delegate to the 1949 presidential inauguration of Harry Truman. All of the Clavadetscher children played music; Carl followed his mother into politics, serving as Billings mayor from 1959 to 1962.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
Location. 45° 47.494′ N, 108° 31.214′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is in North Elevation. Marker 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: 1143 North 31st Street, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020
2. 1143 North 31 Street Residence and Marker
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 105 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
