Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Pape Building

Livingston Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

1. Pape Building Marker

Inscription. In 1883, Wetzstein Hall, a two-story wooden building with a liquor wholesale operation on the first floor and a public hall on the second, stood on this site. In 1902, Fred Pape opened the National Park Steam Laundry here. He purchased the building in 1903, only to see it burn to the ground a few months later. The fire, which started in Pape’s laundry, caused an estimated $20,000 of damage and destroyed two other wooden buildings on this block. The street’s brick buildings were spared. Pape hired builder-architect John Sundberg to construct a dignified two-story, fire-resistant brick business block. Completed in three months, the 1904 building originally housed Frank Bliss’s Solo Saloon on the first floor. The second floor became a lodging house, managed by Pape’s wife Clorinda. In 1910, Clorinda rented the rooms to a baseball player, farm laborer, waiter, real estate agent, waitress, and railroad conductor. During Prohibition, the Solo became a soft drink parlor and relocated, but according to local lore, the New York Candy Kitchen, which occupied the first floor, doubled as a speakeasy.

Erected by Montana Historical

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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. 45° 39.714′ N, 110° 33.712′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is on West Park Street near North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 West Park Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

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: Miles Hall (a few steps from this marker); Donnelly-Van Brocklin Block (a few steps from this marker); First National Bank / Masonic Temple

Pape Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

2. Pape Building and Marker

The marker is between the two entrances.

(a few steps from this marker); Murray Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); I. Orschel and Bro. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 116 North Main Street (about 400 feet away); Miles Garnier Block (about 400 feet away); Frank Block (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.