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

Leander Frary House

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Leander Frary House Marker

Inscription. Dentist-turned-miner Leander W. Frary came to Virginia City with the gold rush to try his luck. He and his wife Alice owned interests in a number of lode claims. Frary, a prominent citizen, was among the founders of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Virginia City in 1866 and served as Treasurer of Montana Territory in 1869. He went back to his profession in the 1870s, practicing dentistry in Helena. Frary died in California in 1911. Deed records show that in 1866 Frary purchased a house and property here on Cover Street for $200. This early home has interesting architectural elements that support a construction date prior to its use as the Frarys’ residence. The structure originally had a small front porch with a central entry door. Two tall, narrow double French doors running to floor level, like the first Greek Revival style storefronts on Wallace Street, flanked the entry. These features suggest a commercial function, consistent with the character of Cover Street in the mid-1860s. The original gingerbread trim remains tucked under the front gable.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 17.66′ N, 111° 56.717′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on West Cover Street near Van Buren Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 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: Anna Lyon / McKeen Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Hangman’s Building (within shouting distance of this

Leander Frary House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Leander Frary House and Marker

marker); Saving Montana''s History (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlie & Sue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia City in the 1940s - a New Beginning (about 300 feet away); The Remarkable Sarah Bickford (about 300 feet away); Elling Bank (about 300 feet away); Allen and Millard Bank (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

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 178 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.