Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Hefferlin Mercantile Company
Livingston Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
1. Hefferlin Mercantile Company Marker
Inscription.
Hefferlin Mercantile Company. Livingston Commercial Historic District. The look of Livingston’s Main Street can be traced to Charles S. Hefferlin, who built at least twelve stores at different times along this thoroughfare. Friendly rivalry between Hefferlin and fellow developer A. W. Miles, who vied for similar importance of Second Street, engendered a lively debate over which would be the town’s “main” street. The Hefferlin Mercantile Company opened in this building in 1888, operated by Charles’ brothers John, William, and Orlando. Hefferlin’s stocked a myriad of goods from caps and boots to furnishings and groceries. In 1903, the store advertised free gold gild chinaware with cash purchase; “Give us a call when you are wanting Groceries and get your dishes FREE.” Tall windows, ornate brickwork, and a marvelous Coca-Cola advertisement painted on the side speak to a bygone era. Six tall chimneys and an outer stairway, now removed, once served the rooming house upstairs. The second-floor doorway remains intact. Since the 1930s, the Mint Bar has operated on the ground floor corner.
The look of Livingston’s Main Street can be traced to Charles S. Hefferlin, who built at least twelve stores at different times along this thoroughfare. Friendly rivalry between Hefferlin and fellow developer A. W. Miles, who vied for similar importance of Second Street, engendered a lively debate over which would be the town’s “main” street. The Hefferlin Mercantile Company opened in this building in 1888, operated by Charles’ brothers John, William, and Orlando. Hefferlin’s stocked a myriad of goods from caps and boots to furnishings and groceries. In 1903, the store advertised free gold gild chinaware with cash purchase; “Give us a call when you are wanting Groceries and get your dishes FREE.” Tall windows, ornate brickwork, and a marvelous Coca-Cola advertisement painted on the side speak to a bygone era. Six tall chimneys and an outer stairway, now removed, once served the rooming house upstairs. The second-floor doorway remains intact. Since the 1930s, the Mint Bar has operated on the ground floor corner.
45° 39.701′ N, 110° 33.612′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Callender Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North Main Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Hefferlin Mercantile Company Building and Marker
The marker is on the right corner.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
3. Hefferlin Mercantile Company and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
4. East side of the 100 block of North Main Street.
Note the ghost signs.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 31, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
