Bozeman in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Lindsay Fruit Company

Northern Pacific
⎯⎯⎯
Story Mill Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

1. Lindsay Fruit Company Marker

Inscription. A Northern Pacific spur line ran in front of this warehouse, originally railroad owned and built in the 1880s for the cold storage of produce. The brick walls are four layers thick with a central air space to maximize insulation; a chute conveyed ice to the basement. Heavy post and beam supports with cast iron plates in between reveal the weight the floor could accommodate. A counter-balanced elevator operated by a rope and pulley remains intact. By 1904, the warehouse served the Lindsay Fruit Company and later the Ryan Fruit Company. Produce arrived daily. In the summer, watermelons shipped in straw-lined cattle cars tempted neighborhood children to cut slices through the slats. One old-timer remembered unloading the cars. The kids would form a line and pass the watermelons hand to hand. “Well, you didn’t get paid in money, but you did get paid in broken watermelons and we made sure that there were enough ... to go around.”

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.

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In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 41.246′ N, 111° 1.523′ W. Marker is in Bozeman, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Plum Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 720 Front Street, Bozeman MT 59715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Yellowstone Country.

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: Misco Grain Elevator (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brewery Historic District (about 800 feet away); Bohart House (approx. ¼ mile away); Peterson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Apollo J. Busch House

Lindsay Fruit Company Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

2. Lindsay Fruit Company Building and Marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Beall Park Community Center (approx. half a mile away); Bozeman Cannery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lindley Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bozeman.

Lindsay Fruit Company Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

3. Lindsay Fruit Company Building

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

4. Lindsay Fruit Company Building

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Lindsay Fruit Company

Northern Pacific⎯⎯⎯Story Mill Historic District

Northern Pacific
⎯⎯⎯
Story Mill Historic District