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

Madison County Courthouse

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Madison County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Courthouse and the original Beaverhead County Courthouse in Bannack (later the Meade Hotel) in 1875. Among the earliest architect-designed buildings in the territory, they both feature dramatic, gracefully curving interior staircases with beautiful newel posts and banisters. The staircases show an appreciation for woodwork that may have come from Olds’ original profession as a millwright. The Madison County Courthouse is the more ornate of the two. Its Italianate style details include paired brackets under the wide, overhanging eaves; tall, arched windows; and a cupola. Built for $35,000—a princely sum in 1875—the courthouse also features fanlight windows, a grand second-story balcony, and a round window centered in the gable end. William W. Morris, a Virginia City capitalist and Madison County treasurer, donated the lots for this important structure, which was dedicated on July 4, 1876. The oldest courthouse in the state still used for its original purpose, its vault continues to store some of Montana Territory’s earliest records.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 17.608′ N, 111° 56.658′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on West Wallace Street near Broadway Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Wallace 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: C. L. Dahler House (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen and Millard

Madison County Courthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Madison County Courthouse and Marker

Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul's Elling Memorial Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Hangman’s Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Daems House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Creighton Stone Block (about 300 feet away); Territorial Governor's Mansion (about 300 feet away); Saving Montana''s History (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Madison County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

3. Madison County Courthouse

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 264 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.