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

815 West Granite

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. 815 West Granite Marker

Inscription. Butte boomed as copper production doubled in the 1890s. The city issued 1,684 building permits between 1897 and 1898 as carpenters worked furiously to keep up with the demand for housing. The availability of mass-produced decoration allowed builders to embellish residences, and houses like this one showcased the Queen Anne style’s complicated textures and angles. Here the steeply pitched roof, cutaway front bay, square turret, fish-scale shingles, stained glass, and elaborate gable ornament all reflect the popular style. Added between 1900 and 1916, the enclosed porch mirrors a later, simpler aesthetic. The hairpin fence, however, is likely original. Symbolically separating the 1897 residence from the street, the fence signals the Victorian notion that a dwelling should be a sanctuary from the larger world. In 1900, the residence became home—and perhaps sanctuary—to Cyrenus and Martha Smith. Cyrenus was a principal in the Owsley Realty Company and the Phoenix Electric Company. Victorian ideals aside, the house clearly suited them; the couple lived here until their deaths, his in 1938 and hers in 1955.

Erected by Montana

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Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 46° 0.836′ N, 112° 32.89′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on West Granite Street near North Alabama Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 815 West Granite Street, 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: 821 West Granite (a few steps

815 West Granite Residence and Marker on the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. 815 West Granite Residence and Marker on the left

from this marker); 805 West Granite (within shouting distance of this marker); 803 West Granite (within shouting distance of this marker); 831 West Granite (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson Davis Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lillie (within shouting distance of this marker); James H. Rowe Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Wynne-Conroy Residence (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.