Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Harvat Block
Livingston Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
1. Harvat Block Marker
Inscription.
Harvat Block. Livingston Commercial Historic District. An 1886 fire destroyed the one-story tin shop and hardware warehouse that originally occupied this lot. Two year later, meat merchant and rancher John Harvat purchased the property. Livingston’s premier Gilded Age architect, I. J. Galbraith, designed the Harvat Block, which was completed in 1890. Although Harvat initially intended the building for his meat market, he ultimately decided to open his shop a few doors down, keeping this building as an investment property. For most of its history, saloons and an occasional restaurant occupied the first floor. During Prohibition, the storefront was home to a billiards hall and “soft drinks parlor.” The second story hosted, at various times, lodge rooms, hotel rooms, furnished rooms and, very briefly, a noodle parlor run by former railway worker Fukutaro Akao. The building’s architectural exuberance reflects Livingston’s unbridled optimism and the nation’s taste for flashy ornamentation during the late 1880s and early 1890s. Noteworthy features include the rounded, Romanesque style, second-story windows, elaborate corbelled (stepped) brickwork, a stone stringcourse, and a striking, galvanized iron cornice and pediment.
An 1886 fire destroyed the one-story tin shop and hardware warehouse that originally occupied this lot. Two year later, meat merchant and rancher John Harvat purchased the property. Livingston’s premier Gilded Age architect, I. J. Galbraith, designed the Harvat Block, which was completed in 1890. Although Harvat initially intended the building for his meat market, he ultimately decided to open his shop a few doors down, keeping this building as an investment property. For most of its history, saloons and an occasional restaurant occupied the first floor. During Prohibition, the storefront was home to a billiards hall and “soft drinks parlor.” The second story hosted, at various times, lodge rooms, hotel rooms, furnished rooms and, very briefly, a noodle parlor run by former railway worker Fukutaro Akao. The building’s architectural exuberance reflects Livingston’s unbridled optimism and the nation’s taste for flashy ornamentation during the late 1880s and early 1890s. Noteworthy features include the rounded, Romanesque style, second-story windows, elaborate corbelled (stepped) brickwork, a stone stringcourse, and a striking, galvanized iron cornice and pediment.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
Location. 45° 39.704′ N, 110° 33.614′ 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: 110 North Main Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 132 times since then and 12 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, 4. submitted on January 30, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
