Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Thomas Block
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021
1. Thomas Block Marker
Inscription.
Thomas Block. Butte National Historic Landmark District. Radical building improvement on West Park Street during 1913 included the construction of this large retail and business block. The original 1890 Thomas Block had fallen victim to fire the previous year. Butte architect Herman Kemna, who also designed the Phoenix Block across the street, drew the plans for the $75,000 replacement of brick and reinforced concrete. In 1916, the building’s diverse commercial tenants included a drug store, saloon, basement candy factory, and second-floor combination bowling alley and billiard hall. Although the ground floor now has modern storefronts, the upper floor retains Kemna’s fine design, featuring a metal cornice, tall transomed windows grouped an interesting arrangement, and a brick parapet with stone coping.
Radical building improvement on West Park Street during 1913 included the construction of this large retail and business block. The original 1890 Thomas Block had fallen victim to fire the previous year. Butte architect Herman Kemna, who also designed the Phoenix Block across the street, drew the plans for the $75,000 replacement of brick and reinforced concrete. In 1916, the building’s diverse commercial tenants included a drug store, saloon, basement candy factory, and second-floor combination bowling alley and billiard hall. Although the ground floor now has modern storefronts, the upper floor retains Kemna’s fine design, featuring a metal cornice, tall transomed windows grouped an interesting arrangement, and a brick parapet with stone coping.
Location. 46° 0.771′ N, 112° 32.225′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. Marker is on West Park Street near South Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map
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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37-47 West Park Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
