Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Lewis/Gohn House
This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022
1. Lewis/Gohn House Marker
Inscription.
Lewis/Gohn House. This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District. During restoration of this modest dwelling, built in 1864 by J. M. Lewis and later owned by the Gohn family, its unusual construction came to light. Hand-planed planks finely crafted with key joints in between, posts of hand-hewn timbers, and ceiling joists notched to the wall plate with half-dovetailed joints allowed construction without nails. The planks are numbered for ease of assembly. This post-and-plank method is similar to period grain mill construction, and it is possible that the building was disassembled elsewhere and freighted here for reuse. Lewis, who also built three identical houses to the west, apparently harbored a well-kept secret. Inscriptions preserved on the interior walls reveal that he and his friends were Union sympathizers in a town of staunch Confederate supporters.
During restoration of this modest dwelling, built in 1864 by J. M. Lewis and later owned by the Gohn family, its unusual construction came to light. Hand-planed planks finely crafted with key joints in between, posts of hand-hewn timbers, and ceiling joists notched to the wall plate with half-dovetailed joints allowed construction without nails. The planks are numbered for ease of assembly. This post-and-plank method is similar to period grain mill construction, and it is possible that the building was disassembled elsewhere and freighted here for reuse. Lewis, who also built three identical houses to the west, apparently harbored a well-kept secret. Inscriptions preserved on the interior walls reveal that he and his friends were Union sympathizers in a town of staunch Confederate supporters.
Location. 45° 17.621′ N, 111° 56.585′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker is on East Wallace Street near Broadway Street, on the left when traveling
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west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 134 East Wallace Street, Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
