Laurel in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Abraham and Carrie Erb Residence

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2021

1. Abraham and Carrie Erb Residence Marker

Inscription. Turned porch supports, elaborately carved brackets, a baluster frieze, and decorative cresting along the roofline ornament this gable-front-and-wing residence. Railroads brought these precut architectural elements to small towns along their tracks, allowing builders to personalize homes. According to local sources, Edgar Camp built this home in old Laurel, likely as part of his real estate business. Abraham and Carrie Erb purchased the house circa 1907, cutting it in two to transport it to their farm adjacent to the recently platted new Laurel. The Erbs set the home onto a cast concrete block foundation. Simple and inexpensive to manufacture, cast concrete was virtually unheard of in 1900, but the decorative material had become popular soon after, particularly for foundations. During his residence, Abraham farmed and briefly owned an implement store. Carrie was active in the local woman’s club, a moving force behind creating Laurel’s library. After Abraham’s untimely death in 1916, Carrie hired a man to work the farm; the bunkhouse dates from that time. She also took a job directing the new library, which she had helped

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found. Even so, Carrie had to rent rooms to make ends meet, particularly during the depression. In 1930, she and her two children shared the home with a railroad worker, his wife, and their seven children, ages seven to six months. Carrie retired from the library at age seventy-seven in 1951. She resided here until her death in 1966. Family members continued to live here until 2002.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 45° 40.19′ N, 108° 46.574′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is on 4th Avenue near West 1st Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 4th Avenue, Laurel MT 59044, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Billings.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

Abraham and Carrie Erb Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2021

2. Abraham and Carrie Erb Residence and Marker

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Yellowstone Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Lewis & Clark expedition July 24, 1806 (approx. ¼ mile away); The Battle at Canyon Creek (approx. ¼ mile away); Historical Downtown Laurel (approx. ¼ mile away); Chamber Log Cabin (approx. ¼ mile away); North School's Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); United Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 7.3 miles away); Clark's Canoe Camp on the Yellowstone (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 309 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.