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

Grabow Hotel

Livingston Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

1. Grabow Hotel Marker

Inscription. German immigrant William Grabow settled in the Livingston area in the early 1880s. There he established a flour mill and helped introduce the manufacture of brick. Between 1908 and 1911, William built this prominent corner building, where he and his wife, Elizabeth, established the Grabow Hotel in 1911. It was soon recognized as one of Montana’s leading hostelries. Guests at the Grabow enjoyed “every known convenience,” including hot and cold running water in each of the thirty rooms and a fine European style restaurant. William died at the height of the 1918 flu epidemic and Elizabeth, six feet tall and eminently capable, ran the business until 1936 when the hotel fell victim to the Great Depression. The once-popular hotel was sold at sheriff’s sale and later converted to offices and apartments. In 1998, William and Elizabeth’s grandchildren, sisters Patricia Grabow and Bonny Grabow Milligan, brought the building back into the family and began its restoration. They burned the 1936 sale document, the source of three generations of family grief, over the graves of their grandparents.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 45° 39.728′ N, 110° 33.514′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is at the intersection of East Callender Street and South B Street, on the left when traveling west on East Callender Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 East Callender 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: Livingston City Hall and Fire Station

Grabow Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

2. Grabow Hotel and Marker

The marker is in the window to the right of the main entrance.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Mayne Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 108 North Main Street (about 400 feet away); Danforth Block (about 400 feet away); Hefferlin Mercantile Company (about 400 feet away); Harvat Block (about 400 feet away); 112 North Main Street (about 400 feet away); Frank Block (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.