Hardin in Big Horn County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Big Horn County Courthouse

Hardin Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021

1. Big Horn County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Hardin women began raising money for a library in 1909. Numerous fundraisers followed, and in 1912 a hundred-book library opened in the home of Walter and Ella Fearis. After the city passed a mill levy in 1914, Walter Fearis wrote library benefactor Andrew Carnegie to solicit funds for a library building. Fearis argued that farmwomen needed somewhere to go while their husbands conducted business. He also believed a library could keep young men from frequenting the community’s saloons. Carnegie’s secretary initially refused the request because the young town of Hardin did not appear on his outdated map. Ultimately, however, Carnegie donated $15,000 on condition that the county provide a building site and $1,500 in annual support. The county did so, noting that a “Free Library would be a good thing.” Architect C. L. Pruett designed the Neoclassical one-and-one-half-story building in accordance with Carnegie guidelines. A 1987 addition expanded the library while shifting the entrance from the west to the south. However, visitors can still distinguish the original hipped-roof structure, welcomed amid much fanfare when it opened

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its doors in 1919.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 45° 43.899′ N, 107° 36.51′ W. Marker is in Hardin, Montana, in Big Horn County. It is at the intersection of West Third Street (Old U.S. Highway 87) and North Crow Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Third Street (Old U.S. Highway 87). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 West Third Street, Hardin MT 59034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically he Crow Nation,

in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

Big Horn County Courthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021

2. Big Horn County Courthouse and Marker

The marker is on the pedestal near the flagpole.

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: T.E. Gay Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee Building (about 500 feet away); 412 North Custer (about 500 feet away); Big Horn County Library (about 600 feet away); Schneider Harness and Confectionary (about 700 feet away); James Reid's Pool Hall (about 700 feet away); Hardin Commercial Historic District (about 700 feet away); Hotel Becker (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hardin.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.