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

St. Jean Block/Smiths Building

Anaconda Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

1. St. Jean Block/Smiths Building Marker

Inscription. Dr. Felix L. St. Jean and brick mason Joe Cosgrove commissioned local architect Herman Kemna to design this building in 1893. Though later owners remodeled the first-floor façade and renamed the building, the second story remains among the best preserved and most elaborate cast-iron façades in downtown Anaconda. The local Tuttle Manufacturing and Supply Company designed and fabricated the iron front in an unusual Italianate/Queen Anne style featuring Eastlake ornamentation. The Eastlake style, adapted from furniture designed by English architect Charles L. Eastlake, incorporated carved brackets, ornate columns and capitals, and symmetrically placed bas relief (raised) and incised floral motifs. Dr. St. Jean, head surgeon at St. Ann’s Hospital, had his private practice and rented rooms upstairs, while the Standard Drug Company and a dance hall operated on the first floor. Dr. St. Jean was instrumental in bringing modern healthcare to Anaconda, and he also invested in mining and real estate. He formed the Georgetown Mining and Milling Company in 1890 and developed several other buildings, including the Anaconda National Bank

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building next door.

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.

Location. 46° 7.742′ N, 112° 57.048′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It is on East Park Avenue (State Highway 1) near Oak Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 East Park Avenue, 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 this marker:

St. Jean Block/Smiths Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

2. St. Jean Block/Smiths Building and Marker

National Bank of Anaconda (here, next to this marker); Parrot Block (a few steps from this marker); Davidson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 119-125 East Park Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 219 East Commercial Avenue (about 300 feet away); Furst Block (about 300 feet away); Weiss Block (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

St. Jean Block/Smiths Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021

3. St. Jean Block/Smiths Building

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 275 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.