Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Elephant Auction House
This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022
1. Elephant Auction House Marker
Inscription.
Elephant Auction House. This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District. The livestock trade was big business in emerging gold towns across the West. In the 1860s when livestock was essential to transportation, owners of liveries (stables) and corrals stood to profit far more than any gold digger. James Gray and Justus Cooke ran the Elephant Auction House here from summer 1863 to fall 1864. A long, sloped porch roof once extended from this building far into Wallace Street, providing shade for the auctioneer and attracting many passers-by. This corner was already the busiest in town, and at auction time pandemonium ensued as crowds of buyers and spectators blocked the street with horses and wagons. After several traffic jams and accidents, city officials outlawed the sale of livestock on Virginia City’s main streets. After the auction house moved, the porch was dismantled, and for the next forty years the building held various stores and offices. It was demolished with its neighbor before 1922, but Charles Bovey reconstructed it in 1948 to house antique fire department equipment. A gift shop has occupied the building since the late 1990s.
The livestock trade was big business in emerging gold towns across the West. In the 1860s when livestock was essential to transportation, owners of liveries (stables) and corrals stood to profit far more than any gold digger. James Gray and Justus Cooke ran the Elephant Auction House here from summer 1863 to fall 1864. A long, sloped porch roof once extended from this building far into Wallace Street, providing shade for the auctioneer and attracting many passers-by. This corner was already the busiest in town, and at auction time pandemonium ensued as crowds of buyers and spectators blocked the street with horses and wagons. After several traffic jams and accidents, city officials outlawed the sale of livestock on Virginia City’s main streets. After the auction house moved, the porch was dismantled, and for the next forty years the building held various stores and offices. It was demolished with its neighbor before 1922, but Charles Bovey reconstructed it in 1948 to house antique fire department equipment. A gift shop has occupied the building since the late 1990s.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Notable Buildings
Location. 45° 17.588′ N, 111° 56.824′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker is on Wallace Street near Jackson Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 Wallace Street, Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The auction house is the building with the shed roof projecting into the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
