Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Carpenters Union Hall
Anaconda Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022
1. Carpenters Union Hall Marker
Inscription.
Carpenters Union Hall. Anaconda Commercial Historic District. Anaconda workers unionized early to promote their interests. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 88 formed in Anaconda in 1889 with nine charter members. Its original bylaws committed the union to working “to replace the present wage system by cooperative industry.” It also authorized fining members who patronized Chinese businesses, a reflection of widespread prejudice. The Carpenters Union offered sick, funeral, and disability benefits and set and enforced wage rates, both with the Anaconda Company and with local builders. The local grew quickly, by 1904 it had seventy-four members in good standing. In 1903, it purchased this brick commercial building, constructed circa 1888. On July 1, 1905, the Carpenters invited friends to join them for a mortgage-burning, promising “just a little ceremony and a whole lot of good time,” including card playing, dancing, and “general jollification.” Other craft union locals met here, including the electrical workers, iron molders, laundry workers, machinists, clerks, waiters, and barbers, as did many ethnic fraternities. The hall suffered some fire damage in 1953, after an explosion in a neighboring building leveled most of the block.
Anaconda workers unionized early to promote their interests. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 88 formed in Anaconda in 1889 with nine charter members. Its original bylaws committed the union to working “to replace the present wage system by cooperative industry.” It also authorized fining members who patronized Chinese businesses, a reflection of widespread prejudice. The Carpenters Union offered sick, funeral, and disability benefits and set and enforced wage rates, both with the Anaconda Company and with local builders. The local grew quickly—by 1904 it had seventy-four members in good standing. In 1903, it purchased this brick commercial building, constructed circa 1888. On July 1, 1905, the Carpenters invited friends to join them for a mortgage-burning, promising “just a little ceremony and a whole lot of good time,” including card playing, dancing, and “general jollification.” Other craft union locals met here—including the electrical workers, iron molders, laundry workers, machinists, clerks, waiters, and barbers—as did many ethnic fraternities. The hall suffered some fire damage in 1953, after an explosion in a neighboring building leveled most of the block.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions
Location. 46° 7.799′ N, 112° 57.036′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. Marker 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: 217 East Commercial Avenue, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The Union Hall is on the right. The marker to the right of the entrance above the bed os the maroon pickup truck.
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 70 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
