Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Thomas Lavell Residence
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021
1. Thomas Lavell Residence Marker
Inscription.
Thomas Lavell Residence. Butte National Historic Landmark District. Traveling by stagecoach from Quebec, Canadian-born Thomas Lavell arrived in Deer Lodge in 1874 to join his brother, Geoffrey. The two came to Butte the following year and established a sawmill, providing lumber for the town’s first sawn-wood buildings. With characteristic “push and pluck,” Thomas established the Butte Cab and Transfer Company in the mid-1880s, which grew from a pioneer livery stable to Montana’s largest taxicab and light trucking business. Thomas built this beautiful home for himself and his wife, Melissa, circa 1887. The couple had six children, four of whom survived childhood. According to the Montana Standard, the Lavells entertained extensively, and their home “for many years was the scene of outstanding social affairs.” A tower with a Second Empire style mansard roof, ornate wooden brackets, and decorative cornices are a lively reminder of fashionable, early-day Butte. Melissa died in 1923 and Thomas, who came to be known as Butte’s “dean of business,” made his home here until he died in 1941.
Traveling by stagecoach from Quebec, Canadian-born Thomas Lavell arrived in Deer Lodge in 1874 to join his brother, Geoffrey. The two came to Butte the following year and established a sawmill, providing lumber for the town’s first sawn-wood buildings. With characteristic “push and pluck,” Thomas established the Butte Cab and Transfer Company in the mid-1880s, which grew from a pioneer livery stable to Montana’s largest taxicab and light trucking business. Thomas built this beautiful home for himself and his wife, Melissa, circa 1887. The couple had six children, four of whom survived childhood. According to the Montana Standard, the Lavells entertained extensively, and their home “for many years was the scene of outstanding social affairs.” A tower with a Second Empire style mansard roof, ornate wooden brackets, and decorative cornices are a lively reminder of fashionable, early-day Butte. Melissa died in 1923 and Thomas, who came to be known as Butte’s “dean of business,” made his home here until he died in 1941.
Location. 46° 0.759′ N, 112° 32.449′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. Marker is at the intersection of West Park Street and South Idaho Street, on the right when traveling west on West Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 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 110 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
