Anaconda in Deer Lodge County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Cohen Block/Park Motors
Anaconda Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022
1. Cohen Block/Park Motors Marker
Inscription.
Cohen Block/Park Motors. Anaconda Commercial Historic District. This building began as a one-story, wood-frame grocery store on Main Street in 1883. In 1885, owner David Cohen Sr. sided it with brick veneer, giving it a more permanent appearance. Soon after, a fire broke out, destroying nearly everything on the west side of Main, except for Cohen’s brick-clad store. To make way for a new fireproof brick store on Main, Cohen split this building in two and moved it here. By 1891, Cohen’s Commercial Street store offered clothing, liquor, and meats. A steam laundry, blacksmith shop, and, later, a carriage repair shop occupied the space in the early 1900s. The Commercial Garage car dealership opened here in 1916. In 1918, it became the Trail Garage, which catered to wealthy motorists touring the country on the Yellowstone Trail. After 1920, an array of garages and used car businesses cycled through the building. Then, in 1941 Charles G. Johnson moved Park Motors auto and farm implement dealership here. Johnson added a second story and remodeled the exterior in the sleek Streamlined Moderne style. Park Motors remained an Anaconda fixture for more than seventy years.
This building began as a one-story, wood-frame grocery store on Main Street in 1883. In 1885, owner David Cohen Sr. sided it with brick veneer, giving it a more permanent appearance. Soon after, a fire broke out, destroying nearly everything on the west side of Main, except for Cohen’s brick-clad store. To make way for a new fireproof brick store on Main, Cohen split this building in two and moved it here. By 1891, Cohen’s Commercial Street store offered clothing, liquor, and meats. A steam laundry, blacksmith shop, and, later, a carriage repair shop occupied the space in the early 1900s. The Commercial Garage car dealership opened here in 1916. In 1918, it became the Trail Garage, which catered to wealthy motorists touring the country on the Yellowstone Trail. After 1920, an array of garages and used car businesses cycled through the building. Then, in 1941 Charles G. Johnson moved Park Motors auto and farm implement dealership here. Johnson added a second story and remodeled the exterior in the sleek Streamlined Moderne style. Park Motors remained an Anaconda fixture for more than seventy years.
Location. 46° 7.78′ N, 112° 56.959′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. Marker is at the intersection of East Commercial Avenue and Cherry Street on East Commercial Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 East Commercial Avenue, Anaconda MT 59711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
