Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
H. Fred and Sophia Gamer Residence
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 13, 2021
1. H. Fred and Sophia Gamer Residence Marker
Inscription.
H. Fred and Sophia Gamer Residence. Butte National Historic Landmark District. Ornamental wooden brackets tucked under wide overhanging eaves, spacious dormers, exposed rafter tails, and a full-length front porch reflect the Craftsman style’s influence on this two-story residence. The style was initially touted as “the ideal home for the lover of the out-of-doors.” Its originators intended the large front porch to connect homeowners to their natural surroundings. Butte’s urban streetscape had almost nothing in common with the lush California suburbs where the Craftsman style got its start. But by the 1910s the style’s popularity was so widespread that it seemed a logical choice for J. Fred and Sophia “Babe” Gamer. The couple hired contractor George Wortman to build the two-story residence circa 1917. In the 1930s, the Gamers converted the residence into a duplex to accommodate Fred’s brother, Charles, and mother, Emma. Charles and Fred worked together in the family shoe business, originally founded by their father in Helena in 1868. Fred and Sophie also founded Gamer’s Confectionery, a restaurant famous for its pasties. The couple lived here until their deaths, Sophie’s in 1949 and Fred’s in 1950.
Ornamental wooden brackets tucked under wide overhanging eaves, spacious dormers, exposed rafter tails, and a full-length front porch reflect the Craftsman style’s influence on this two-story residence. The style was initially touted as “the ideal home for the lover of the out-of-doors.” Its originators intended the large front porch to connect homeowners to their natural surroundings. Butte’s urban streetscape had almost nothing in common with the lush California suburbs where the Craftsman style got its start. But by the 1910s the style’s popularity was so widespread that it seemed a logical choice for J. Fred and Sophia “Babe” Gamer. The couple hired contractor George Wortman to build the two-story residence circa 1917. In the 1930s, the Gamers converted the residence into a duplex to accommodate Fred’s brother, Charles, and mother, Emma. Charles and Fred worked together in the family shoe business, originally founded by their father in Helena in 1868. Fred and Sophie also founded Gamer’s Confectionery, a restaurant famous for its pasties. The couple lived here until their deaths, Sophie’s in 1949 and Fred’s in 1950.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 46° 0.651′ N, 112° 32.609′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. Marker is at the intersection of West Mercury Street and South Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west on West Mercury Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 West Mercury Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is on the fence to the right of the steps.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
