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

Imperial Block

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. Imperial Block Marker

Inscription. The changing character of East Park Street is well documented in the history of this rooming house, built as an investment in 1900 by Abraham Wehl. By this time, Butte’s first red light district, located on the block in the 1870s and early 1880s, had been firmly re-established to the south on nearby Galena and Mercury Streets. Handsome business blocks like this one, which replaced dilapidated mining camp buildings, brought some measure of respectability. Records show that residents at the Imperial were primarily miners and others who worked nearby but in 1910 under proprietress Mamie Smith, the fifty residents included nine prostitutes. Prohibition and reforms brought further change to the neighborhood evident by 1920 when Hugh Quinn, a family man with six children, was tenant landlord. His thirty-three roomers were all men predominantly miners or couples with children. Like most rooming houses of the time, second- and third-floor lodgings were arranged around a central skylight with ground-floor commercial space. The cast iron storefront, graceful upper-story arches, and decorative brickwork well represent turn-of-the-century

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Butte.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 46° 0.77′ N, 112° 32.034′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on East Park Street near North Wyoming Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 78-82 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: Ivanhoe Block (a few steps

Imperial Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. Imperial Block and Marker

The marker is located at the entrance on the far right of the building.

from this marker); Kelly Block (a few steps from this marker); E.B. Craney (a few steps from this marker); Owsley Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Alley and the Copper Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pleasant Alley (about 300 feet away); Butte Tin Shop (about 400 feet away); City Hall (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.