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

Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building Marker

Inscription. In 1910, Butte had only three automobile-related businesses, one of which also repaired bicycles, typewriters, slot machines, and revolvers. By 1918, auto dealers, repair shops, garages, and tire stores numbered over fifty. “No other town in Montana is so well supplied in the automobile trade as is Butte,” crowed the Butte Miner in March 1920. Among those supplying Butte customers was Butte Buick Co, which moved into the first floor of this newly constructed building in 1920. Here the company maintained a service station, garage, and salesroom, where those bitten by the auto bug could buy a five-passenger touring car for $1,750 approximately $18,700 in 2009 dollars. The second floor of the brick commercial building was intended for a dance hall and incorporated a spectator’s gallery with a seating capacity of 500. The Schumacher Meat Co. owned the building, which replaced three dwellings that stood on this lot in 1916. The Schumacher name remains commemorated on the parapet. In 1940, the Butte Pioneer Club purchased the building. Open to any longtime Butte resident, the social club held bimonthly dances in the second-floor

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ballroom.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1920.

Location. 46° 0.722′ N, 112° 32.369′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on South Montana Street near West Galena Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 South Montana 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

Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building and Marker

distance of this marker: Knights of Columbus (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mayer Building (about 300 feet away); St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal (South) Church (about 300 feet away); Original City Hall (about 400 feet away); Thomas Lavell Residence (about 400 feet away); 303 West Park (about 400 feet away); Paumie Block (about 400 feet away); 321 West Galena (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

3. Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.