Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Frisch/Ferguson Cabin

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Frisch/Ferguson Cabin Marker

Inscription. The Frisch/Ferguson cabin escaped collapse twice and survives as an excellent example of a one-room log dwelling meant to provide short term, basic shelter for prospectors. The cabin’s early history is unknown, but by 1874, miner Fred Frisch and his wife Amelia were residents. Fred died in April 1878, leaving Amelia to care for two young children. In December of that year, Amelia married Fred’s mining partner, Abram Thurgood. They left town to settle in the Ruby Valley where Abram worked various mining claims. For nearly eighty years the Frisch/Thurgood family maintained the cabin as a rental property. Abram Thurgood became a successful miner and saloon owner and was elected Madison County Assessor in 1898. By 1901, he and Amelia lived nearby on the southwest corner of Jackson and Cover streets. Widowed prospector Sim Ferguson was the last renter in the 1940s. Preservationist Charles Bovey rebuilt the cabin in the 1950s, but with no tenant in residence it fell into disrepair by the 1980s. The Montana Heritage Commission rescued the cabin once again in 2005, preserving it as a permanent exhibit.

Erected by Montana Historical

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Society.

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

Location. 45° 17.621′ N, 111° 56.966′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on West Cover Street near Wallace Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 403 West Cover Street, Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country and in Greater Bozeman.

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: Sim Ferguson Cabin (here, next to this marker);

Frisch/Ferguson Cabin and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Frisch/Ferguson Cabin and Marker

Thexton House (a few steps from this marker); Alder Gulch Short Line Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fight of the Century and Flour Riots (about 300 feet away); Green Front Boarding House (about 400 feet away); Dance and Stuart Store (about 400 feet away); Henderson's Paint Shop (about 400 feet away); Smith & Boyd Livery Stable (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Frisch/Ferguson Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

3. Frisch/Ferguson Cabin

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.