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

Morse/Palace Block

Anaconda Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

1. Morse/Palace Block Marker

Inscription. Thomas Silha and sisters Mary Vollenweider and Margaret Morse hired architect Joseph White to design this commercial/residential building in 1911. The $20,000 brick building originally featured identical storefronts with glass display windows topped by prismatic glass panels that reflected daylight deep into the interior. Furnished rooms upstairs offered housekeeping services. In 1912, Thomas Silha’s Palace Block on the south housed a confectionery and cigar store and Orton Bros. Pianos in the rear. In 1915, Charles Tescher and wife Marion ran a pool hall and furnished rooms in the Morse Block on the north, but by 1917 they had moved into Silha’s confectionery next door and added a Brunswick bowling alley. Earl Tucker and William A. J. Thompson ran the alley from 1928 until the mid-1930s. Thompson’s grandson Jack opened a bar by 1952. Next door, Morse and Vollenweider managed tenants upstairs, and Morse’s son John ran a pool hall and confectionery until the early 1940s. Both widows, Vollenweider and Morse incorporated their business in 1928 and became well known real estate investors in both Anaconda and Butte—an unusual

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profession for women at the time.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 46° 7.728′ N, 112° 57.184′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It is on Main Street (State Highway 1) near East Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 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 of

Morse/Palace Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

2. Morse/Palace Block and Marker

The marker is at the left side of the entrance, below the Thompson's Bar sign.

this marker: Marcus Daly & Company Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Furst Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Weiss Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pay Office Hall (about 300 feet away); 119-125 East Park Avenue (about 300 feet away); Washoe Theater (about 400 feet away); Methodist Episcopal Church of Anaconda (about 400 feet away); Electric Light Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.