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

Henderson's Paint Shop

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Henderson's Paint Shop Marker

Inscription. John Henderson’s painting business occupied this humble log building beginning in 1864. In addition to painting buildings, Henderson also offered decorative painting and sign writing. In Virginia City’s boom days, when new buildings on Wallace Street emerged and changed owners often, Henderson’s artistic hand was in high demand. He designed and hand-painted a wide variety of signs from large dry goods store and political campaign signs to small hand-lettered signs on office doors. He even labeled and decorated Virginia City’s first hook and ladder fire wagon in 1865. Henderson was an active member of the Virginia City Masonic Lodge No. 1, ran for alderman in 1865, and county treasurer in 1867. Virginia City’s building boom faded by the late 1860s, and like so many other early territorial entrepreneurs, Henderson moved to Helena in 1868. Nevertheless, the name Henderson’s Paint Shop stayed with the building for years after. Henderson’s shop remained a practical rental property owned by several successful Virginia City residents, including blacksmith George Thexton, businessman James Vanderbeck, Montana’s sixth governor Sam

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Stewart, and builder/butcher George Vickers.

Erected by Montana 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. 45° 17.628′ N, 111° 56.878′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on West Cover Street near Jackson Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 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

Henderson's Paint Shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Henderson's Paint Shop and Marker

walking distance of this marker: Kramer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Strasburger’s Colorado Store (within shouting distance of this marker); G. Goldberg Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Dance and Stuart Store (within shouting distance of this marker); J.B. LaBeau, Jeweler (within shouting distance of this marker); Kiskadden’s Stone Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of First Masonic Meetings (within shouting distance of this marker); Conrey Place (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Henderson's Paint Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

3. Henderson's Paint Shop

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

4. Henderson's Paint Shop

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.