Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Miles Garnier Block
Livingston Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
1. Miles Garnier Block Marker
Inscription.
Miles Garnier Block. Livingston Commercial Historic District. Charles Garnier, Livingston mayor and cigar manufacturer, teamed up with businessman, brick manufacturer, and real estate developer A. W. Miles to construct this dignified addition to the commercial district. They hired one of the architects responsible for the Montana State Capitol, C. E. Bell, in 1903, but they delayed construction until 1904 so that Miles could focus on rebuilding another of his commercial blocks after a disastrous fire. Bell’s dignified design features pressed brick laid to suggest stonework. Above the second story, decorative brackets appear to support a cast iron cornice. The first story, once almost entirely dominated by plate-glass display windows, has been remodeled several times, but the original carved sandstone entrance remains on Callender Street. Rightly proud of their building, Garnier and Miles not only had their names carved in sandstone above the decorative entryway, but they placed them in metal atop the building on the parapet. They also had their names pressed into the sidewalk along with the words “Smoke Montana Sport”, Garnier’s most popular brand of cigars.
Charles Garnier—Livingston mayor and cigar manufacturer—teamed up with businessman, brick manufacturer, and real estate developer A. W. Miles to construct this dignified addition to the commercial district. They hired one of the architects responsible for the Montana State Capitol, C. E. Bell, in 1903, but they delayed construction until 1904 so that Miles could focus on rebuilding another of his commercial blocks after a disastrous fire. Bell’s dignified design features pressed brick laid to suggest stonework. Above the second story, decorative brackets appear to support a cast iron cornice. The first story—once almost entirely dominated by plate-glass display windows—has been remodeled several times, but the original carved sandstone entrance remains on Callender Street. Rightly proud of their building, Garnier and Miles not only had their names carved in sandstone above the decorative entryway, but they placed them in metal atop the building on the parapet. They also had their names pressed into the sidewalk along with the words “Smoke Montana Sport”—Garnier’s most popular brand of cigars.
Location. 45° 39.66′ N, 110° 33.665′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. Marker is at the intersection of North 2nd Street and West Callender Street, on the right when traveling north on North 2nd Street. The address of the building is 102 North 2nd Street, but the marker is on the West Callender Street side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North 2nd Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
