Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Pay Office Hall

Anaconda Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

1. Pay Office Hall Marker

Inscription. Wholesale liquor dealer John V. Collins commissioned this handsome Renaissance Revival style commercial and boardinghouse building in 1897. The store was home to several saloons during its first twenty years. Workers at Marcus Daly’s Anaconda Company Smelter cashed their paychecks next door at Daly’s bank and some quenched their thirst in this building or the one next door. Upstairs, various female landlords managed an ever-changing array of bachelor tenants. In 1919, the Anaconda Company bought the building and hired Bozeman architect Fred Willson to redesign the storefront and former saloon into a more refined business office and community meeting space. Pay Office Hall served smelter employees payroll needs during the day, and hosted social, civic, and labor union meetings at night. The second floor lodging rooms soon filled with labor union offices representing a wide array of blue-collar workers including butchers, railroad workers, iron workers, bricklayers, and plumbers. In 1948, the Anaconda Standard newspaper offices in the Petritz Block next door moved their advertising staff here. Since 1970, the Anaconda Leader

Paid Advertisement

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has produced the town’s weekly newspaper from this location.

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. 46° 7.778′ N, 112° 57.161′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It is on Main Street near Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Main Street, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

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

Pay Office Hall and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

2. Pay Office Hall and Marker

of this marker: Marcus Daly & Company Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Electric Light Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Weiss Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Furst Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Pleasant Driver's Saloon and Club Rooms (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ida Block (about 300 feet away); 119-125 East Park Avenue (about 300 feet away); Morse/Palace Block (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.