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.
St. Jean Block/Smiths Building. Anaconda Commercial Historic District. 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 building next door.
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 building next door.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 46° 7.742′ N, 112° 57.048′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. Marker 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.
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 76 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
