Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

219 East Commercial Avenue

Anaconda Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022

1. 219 East Commercial Avenue Marker

Inscription. In 1888, one- and two-story, wood-frame commercial buildings filled almost the entire block. Constructed circa 1890 on the block’s last vacant lot, this store was home to McKinnon and MacKay’s grocery. An expanse of brick with three recessed panels tops the building, making it look taller and more imposing than it is. Cast iron posts provide the structural support needed to incorporate large windows, which offered display space and allowed natural light to flood the shop’s interior. McKinnon and MacKay’s specialized in “the finest butter on earth” and in 1894 was the only store in Anaconda to offer produce from the Bitterroot valley. A soda water factory occupied the site in 1906. In 1908, it had become Mallory and Anderson’s, which sold everything from fresh Timothy hay and sawed wood to “Plymouth Rock pullets” and “choice geese.” In 1913, F. M. Osborne opened a machine shop, where he repaired cars, bikes, cash registers, and guns. Osborne also sold Wahl and Regal automobiles. Wahl and Regal were two of hundreds of short-lived car manufacturers that operated in the 1910s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 46° 7.791′ N, 112° 57.017′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It is on East Commercial Avenue near Cherry Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 East Commercial Avenue, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining 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: Carpenters Union Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Cohen Block/Park Motors (within shouting distance of this marker); National Bank of Anaconda (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

219 East Commercial Avenue Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022

2. 219 East Commercial Avenue Building and Marker

line); St. Jean Block/Smiths Building (about 300 feet away); Commercial Historic District (about 400 feet away); Parrot Block (about 400 feet away); Davidson Building (about 400 feet away); 119-125 East Park Avenue (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

219 East Commercial Avenue Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022

3. 219 East Commercial Avenue Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.