Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Weiss Block
Anaconda Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 11, 2021
1. Weiss Block Marker
Inscription.
Weiss Block. Anaconda Commercial Historic District. In October 1900, German tailors William Weiss and John Zilinsky invested in this commercial building. They paid an exorbitant $9,500 for three lots behind Marcus Daly’s bank, where they constructed the first story of this two-story building. Early tenants, the Great Northern Express Co. (parcel delivery) and A. J. Cummings Grain and Stock Exchange, served Anaconda’s well-to-do families. By 1915, Weiss added an upscale second-story boardinghouse. Narrow brick piers and a stepped parapet accentuate the building’s height, while blocks and horizontal bands of cast stone add interest to the second-floor windows. Throughout the 1900s, various businesses, from insurance agents and jewelers to tailors and confectioners, occupied the first-story stores. Upstairs, a constant flow of single men, newlyweds, and widows lived in the boardinghouse rooms, sometimes with surprising results. In May 1919, managers Ambrose and Katherine Powers found an abandoned infant girl in one of the rooms, left by short-term guests registered as Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The Smiths never returned for the baby, and the Powers adopted her as their own.
In October 1900, German tailors William Weiss and John Zilinsky invested in this commercial building. They paid an exorbitant $9,500 for three lots behind Marcus Daly’s bank, where they constructed the first story of this two-story building. Early tenants, the Great Northern Express Co. (parcel delivery) and A. J. Cummings Grain and Stock Exchange, served Anaconda’s well-to-do families. By 1915, Weiss added an upscale second-story boardinghouse. Narrow brick piers and a stepped parapet accentuate the building’s height, while blocks and horizontal bands of cast stone add interest to the second-floor windows. Throughout the 1900s, various businesses—from insurance agents and jewelers to tailors and confectioners—occupied the first-story stores. Upstairs, a constant flow of single men, newlyweds, and widows lived in the boardinghouse rooms, sometimes with surprising results. In May 1919, managers Ambrose and Katherine Powers found an abandoned infant girl in one of the rooms, left by short-term guests registered as Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The Smiths never returned for the baby, and the Powers adopted her as their own.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture •
Location. 46° 7.756′ N, 112° 57.127′ 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: 112 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 64 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
