Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
112 North Main Street
Livingston Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
1. 112 North Main Street Marker
Inscription.
112 North Main Street. Livingston Commercial Historic District. Fire destroyed the first commercial building on this lot in 1886, but owner Walter Ayrault quickly invested $1,000 to replace it. In 1901, the Northern Pacific Railroad expanded its repair shops, ensuring Livingston’s growth; the next year, C. H. Hefferlin purchased the one-story business block. Sometime between 1910 and 1918, Hefferlin replaced the wood-frame building with a new brick commercial block; around the same time, his father, who was also a real estate developer, constructed the building’s near twin two doors down. A pair of recessed panels above the windows offers room to advertise two separate businesses. However, a single business, usually an eatery, occupied this entire structure after 1922. Many of the restaurants’ owners were immigrants. They included Thomas McCarthy (Ireland), Matsutaro “Thomas” Miyagishima (Japan), George D. Pavelis (Greece), and Louie Do Jum (China). Cities encouraged brick and stone construction as a fire prevention measure, but it wasn’t always successful. A 2003 fire destroyed all but the building’s newly restored façade, which today still looks much as it did in the 1920s, when customers patronized the Busy Bee Cafe.
Fire destroyed the first commercial building on this lot in 1886, but owner Walter Ayrault quickly invested $1,000 to replace it. In 1901, the Northern Pacific Railroad expanded its repair shops, ensuring Livingston’s growth; the next year, C. H. Hefferlin purchased the one-story business block. Sometime between 1910 and 1918, Hefferlin replaced the wood-frame building with a new brick commercial block; around the same time, his father, who was also a real estate developer, constructed the building’s near twin two doors down. A pair of recessed panels above the windows offers room to advertise two separate businesses. However, a single business—usually an eatery—occupied this entire structure after 1922. Many of the restaurants’ owners were immigrants. They included Thomas McCarthy (Ireland), Matsutaro “Thomas” Miyagishima (Japan), George D. Pavelis (Greece), and Louie Do Jum (China). Cities encouraged brick and stone construction as a fire prevention measure, but it wasn’t always successful. A 2003 fire destroyed all but the building’s newly restored façade, which today still looks much as it did in the 1920s, when customers patronized the Busy Bee Cafe.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans
Location. 45° 39.706′ N, 110° 33.615′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. Marker is on North Main Street near East Callender Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 North Main Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Building at 112 North Main Street and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
3. 112 North Main Street Building
is the single story building in this view of the east side of the 100 block of North Main Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on January 30, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on January 31, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on January 30, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
