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

E.B. Craney

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. E.B. Craney Marker

Inscription. Montana Broadcasting Pioneer
E.B. Craney
Established in this Building Shiner's Furniture Company KGIR
Butte's First Radio Station
On the Air January 31, 1929

Erected by Greater Montana Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications.

Location. 46° 0.781′ N, 112° 32.027′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on East Park Street near North Wyoming Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 East Park 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: Kelly Block (here, next to this marker); Imperial Block (a few steps from this marker); Ivanhoe Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Owsley Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Thornton Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Finlen Hotel (about 400 feet away); Forbis Block (about 400 feet away); Thornton Hotel (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Also see . . . E.B.Craney - The Voice of Montana. Greater Montana Foundation website entry:
As the 1920s progressed, stations began broadcasting
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from across Montana... 13 Stations appeared in more urban areas of the state, including Kalispell, Billings,14 and a city dubbed “The Richest Hill Earth.” Butte, Montana’s hometown station, KGIR, grew to become a part of the state’s first radio network, the Z-Net (pronounced Z-Bar, like a brand), all because of one man—Ed Craney. (Submitted on November 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. E.B. Craney Marker

The marker is between the cars to the left of the entrance.

Photographed by Montana Broadcaster Hall of Fame

3. E.B. Craney

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.