Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Schmidt Plumbing
Anaconda Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021
1. Schmidt Plumbing Marker
Inscription.
Schmidt Plumbing. Anaconda Commercial Historic District. Contractor John Jacobson built this brick store and boardinghouse in 1915, during a time of rapid commercial and residential expansion in Anaconda. Downtown Anaconda property owners developed every square foot of their lots during this boom, remodeling storefronts, adding second-story lodging, or starting fresh with modern two-story masonry buildings. Jacobson’s upstairs rooms housed a steady stream of single men, while a wide variety of short-lived businesses occupied the first-floor storefront. In January 1916, Israel M. Citron opened The Economy Store, offering men’s and boy’s clothing and shoes. Citron went out of business the same year, and Orton Bros. Pianos opened for a few months. Gibson Studio offered portrait photography in 1918, but left by 1919, leaving only the painted sign outside on the west wall. Other brief tenants included two grocery stores, a meat market, and an ice dealer. William Schmidt, who worked for Sullivan Plumbing next door at 404, changed the tide of renters. He established Schmidt Plumbing here in 1928, and even after his retirement in 1972, his son Carl continued the plumbing business here until the mid-1980s.
Contractor John Jacobson built this brick store and boardinghouse in 1915, during a time of rapid commercial and residential expansion in Anaconda. Downtown Anaconda property owners developed every square foot of their lots during this boom, remodeling storefronts, adding second-story lodging, or starting fresh with modern two-story masonry buildings. Jacobson’s upstairs rooms housed a steady stream of single men, while a wide variety of short-lived businesses occupied the first-floor storefront. In January 1916, Israel M. Citron opened The Economy Store, offering men’s and boy’s clothing and shoes. Citron went out of business the same year, and Orton Bros. Pianos opened for a few months. Gibson Studio offered portrait photography in 1918, but left by 1919, leaving only the painted sign outside on the west wall. Other brief tenants included two grocery stores, a meat market, and an ice dealer. William Schmidt, who worked for Sullivan Plumbing next door at 404, changed the tide of renters. He established Schmidt Plumbing here in 1928, and even after his retirement in 1972, his son Carl continued the plumbing business here until the mid-1980s.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 46° 7.715′ N, 112° 56.89′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. Marker is on East Park Avenue (State Highway 1) near Cedar Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 East Park Avenue, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
