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

423-425 West Mercury

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 13, 2021

1. 423-425 West Mercury Marker

Inscription. Contractor Fergus Kelley spent $4,000 building this handsome two-apartment residence in September 1900. He and wife Katherine, a well-known Butte vocalist and music teacher, lived at number 423 and rented the other half to tenants. In the early 1890s, this stretch of Mercury Street was a rough dirt road at the western edge of Butte, a checkerboard of empty lots, old log cabins, and new Queen Anne style cottages and boardinghouses. Butte’s population grew exponentially by 1900, and modern brick apartment houses quickly filled available lots with much-needed multi-family housing. Fergus and Katherine’s building, with its matching front porches, attractive decorative parapet, and distinctive window sashes, housed skilled mine workers and young professionals. Sadly, Fergus and Katherine enjoyed the property only briefly. Fergus died of lung disease in 1901, and Katherine eventually sold the building. Boilermaker Thomas Grimes and wife Agnes rented at number 423 from 1904 to 1925. Like many other working-class renters in Butte, the Grimes’s sublet their extra bedrooms to an ever-changing array of unmarried workers.

Erected by Montana

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 0.653′ N, 112° 32.568′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on West Mercury Street near South Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423-425 West Mercury 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: 431 West Mercury (a few steps from this marker); H. Fred and Sophia Gamer Residence

423-425 West Mercury Residences and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 13, 2021

2. 423-425 West Mercury Residences and Marker

The marker is in the V located between the two stairs.

(within shouting distance of this marker); 510 West Galena (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Patrick's Catholic Church (about 300 feet away); St. Patrick's Convent (about 400 feet away); Virginia Apartments (about 400 feet away); Lynch Residence (about 400 feet away); B'nai Israel Temple (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

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 181 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.