Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
John Gillie Home
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 13, 2021
1. John Gillie Home Marker
Inscription.
John Gillie Home. Butte National Historic Landmark District. Armed with a degree in mining engineering, Canadian John Gillie arrived in Butte via stagecoach on April 6, 1880. The mining camp was so crowded that even hotel floor space rented at a premium. Gillie bedded down in in the hayloft of a barn, a rude beginning to a long and distinguished career. Gillie became known as “dean of Montana mining engineers.” He was so highly regarded that, even though copper kings W. A. Clark and Marcus Daly were at daggers’ points, both employed Gillie as examining engineer; he later served as superintendent of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. In 1895, the Montana legislature appointed Gillie secretary of the commission to establish the Montana School of Mines (now Montana Tech). By 1890, he and his wife, Margaret, settled into this home, which they owned until Gillie’s death in 1941. One of the first residences west of the original townsite, its simple elegance and more rural appearance set this home apart from its later high-styled neighbors.
Armed with a degree in mining engineering, Canadian John Gillie arrived in Butte via stagecoach on April 6, 1880. The mining camp was so crowded that even hotel floor space rented at a premium. Gillie bedded down in in the hayloft of a barn, a rude beginning to a long and distinguished career. Gillie became known as “dean of Montana mining engineers.” He was so highly regarded that, even though copper kings W. A. Clark and Marcus Daly were at daggers’ points, both employed Gillie as examining engineer; he later served as superintendent of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. In 1895, the Montana legislature appointed Gillie secretary of the commission to establish the Montana School of Mines (now Montana Tech). By 1890, he and his wife, Margaret, settled into this home, which they owned until Gillie’s death in 1941. One of the first residences west of the original townsite, its simple elegance and more rural appearance set this home apart from its later high-styled neighbors.
0.778′ N, 112° 32.974′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. Marker is on North Excelsior Avenue near West Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 North Excelsior Avenue, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
