Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
301 North Crystal
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 13, 2021
1. 301 North Crystal Marker
Inscription.
301 North Crystal. Butte National Historic Landmark District. Interesting window placement is a hallmark of prominent Butte architect Charles M. Prentice and his own modified Italianate style residence, built circa 1898, provides an eye-catching example. Prentice alternated panels of full and half windows, richly ornamenting many of them with beveled, stained, and etched glass to form an unusual pattern on the façade. A low pitched roofline with paired decorative brackets beneath the eaves complements the home’s unusual polygonal footprint. One of Butte’s prominent early architects, Prentice worked on his own and for the M. J. Connell and Western Lumber companies. He left his distinctive mark on a number of apartment buildings and homes in Butte. The Prentice family briefly left Montana for California in 1899, but they returned by 1900, and Charles, his wife Celia, daughter Lula, and son George were at home here until at least 1906. The Frank Panisko family later owned the home from 1950 to 2003. Locals refer to it as the Clown House, recalling Panisko’s career as a professional circus clown with the Ringling Brothers’ Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Interesting window placement is a hallmark of prominent Butte architect Charles M. Prentice and his own modified Italianate style residence, built circa 1898, provides an eye-catching example. Prentice alternated panels of full and half windows, richly ornamenting many of them with beveled, stained, and etched glass to form an unusual pattern on the façade. A low pitched roofline with paired decorative brackets beneath the eaves complements the home’s unusual polygonal footprint. One of Butte’s prominent early architects, Prentice worked on his own and for the M. J. Connell and Western Lumber companies. He left his distinctive mark on a number of apartment buildings and homes in Butte. The Prentice family briefly left Montana for California in 1899, but they returned by 1900, and Charles, his wife Celia, daughter Lula, and son George were at home here until at least 1906. The Frank Panisko family later owned the home from 1950 to 2003. Locals refer to it as the Clown House, recalling Panisko’s career as a professional circus clown with the Ringling Brothers’ Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Location. 46° 0.899′ N, 112° 32.662′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. Marker is on North Crystal Street near West Quartz Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North Crystal Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
