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. 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.

Erected by Montana

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Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 7.78′ N, 112° 56.959′ W. Marker is in Anaconda, Montana, in Deer Lodge County. It 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.

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: 219 East Commercial Avenue (within

Cohen Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2022

2. Cohen Block and Marker

shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anaconda City Hall (about 300 feet away); Carpenters Union Hall (about 300 feet away); Davidson Building (about 400 feet away); National Bank of Anaconda (about 400 feet away); St. Jean Block/Smiths Building (about 400 feet away); Parrot Block (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anaconda.

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 255 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.