Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Scovil Residence

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. Scovil Residence Marker

Inscription. John Scovil worked as a watchman for the Anaconda Company after he first arrived in Montana in 1884. He opened a laundry in 1894; six years later he purchased the Union Laundry in Butte. By 1911, Scovil and a partner owned almost all of the laundries in Butte and employed approximately 175 people. Scovil also invested widely in real estate. He built this two-and-one-half-story monument to his success, along with the duplex next door, in 1917 for the considerable sum of $19,800. Behind the residences was a two-story garage with an apartment on the second floor. The elegant garage may have reflected John’s wife Lalia’s interest in motoring; Lalia was thought to be the first woman in Montana to own and drive her own automobile. A dark brown brick veneer and repeating architectural details visually connect the three buildings. Lalia assumed presidency of the Scovil-owned Taylor Laundry Company after John died in 1925, remarrying in 1927. She continued to live here with her second husband, attorney Laurence Myers, until her death in 1942.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 0.839′ N, 112° 32.978′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is at the intersection of North Excelsior Avenue and West Granite Street, on the left when traveling north on North Excelsior Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Excelsior Avenue, Butte MT 59701, 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: John E. Davis Home (within shouting distance of this marker);

Scovil Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Google Maps screen shot

2. Scovil Residence and Marker

The marker is at the corner on the left.

Andrew Jackson Davis Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Hodgens/Ryan Home (within shouting distance of this marker); 831 West Granite (within shouting distance of this marker); 834 West Quartz (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 821 West Granite (about 300 feet away); 833 West Quartz (about 300 feet away); John Gillie Home (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Photographed by Google Maps screen shot

3. Scovil Residence and Marker

The marker is at the corner.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.