Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Territorial Governor's Mansion
This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022
1. Territorial Governor's Mansion Marker
Inscription.
Territorial Governor's Mansion. This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District. When President Grant named Benjamin F. Potts of Ohio governor of the Territory of Montana in 1870, it was to this modest home that the new governor came to begin serving his appointment. Virginia City was then the territorial capital, and this small residence served as the “governor’s mansion” for the first three years of Pott’s twelve-year stint (a longer term than any other territorial governor). Potts was a large and powerfully built man, who must have appeared gigantic in this diminutive dwelling. The unassuming frame house, demurely adorned with decorative bargeboards and perched on a terrace bordered by a balustraded stonewall, has changed little since it was built in 1864 by J. M. Lewis. Lewis, who was its first occupant, also built the houses next door on either side.
When President Grant named Benjamin F. Potts of Ohio governor of the Territory of Montana in 1870, it was to this modest home that the new governor came to begin serving his appointment. Virginia City was then the territorial capital, and this small residence served as the “governor’s mansion” for the first three years of Pott’s twelve-year stint (a longer term than any other territorial governor). Potts was a large and powerfully built man, who must have appeared gigantic in this diminutive dwelling. The unassuming frame house, demurely adorned with decorative bargeboards and perched on a terrace bordered by a balustraded stonewall, has changed little since it was built in 1864 by J. M. Lewis. Lewis, who was its first occupant, also built the houses next door on either side.
Location. 45° 17.586′ N, 111° 56.598′ 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: 116 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 110 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
