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

Original Madison County Courthouse

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Original Madison County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Madison County was one of the original nine counties created by the first territorial legislature in 1865. This building, constructed in 1866, served as the county courthouse during Virginia City’s stint as territorial capital (1865-1875). When the present courthouse on Wallace Street replaced it in 1876, three Catholic Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas, came to Virginia City at the request of Father Francis Kelleher. The sisters opened St. Mary’s Hospital for miners in the old courthouse. The hospital briefly prospered and the three sisters worked tirelessly caring for patients, cooking, sterilizing instruments, and doing endless hospital laundry. Placer gold was soon exhausted and St. Mary’s closed for lack of patients in 1879. In 1949, Charles Bovey remodeled the interior as a hotel, but the exterior, with its clapboard siding and tall false front, is little changed from the 1870s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program

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series list.

Location. 45° 17.538′ N, 111° 56.818′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on West Idaho Street near Jackson Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 West Idaho 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: Hargrave/Vanderbeck House (within shouting distance of this marker); Coggswell - Taylor Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); Tootle, Leach & Company Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Integration on the Mining Frontier (within

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

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Original Madison County Courthouse and Marker

shouting distance of this marker); African American Entrepreneurs (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Francis Meagher Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Francis Meager (about 300 feet away); Ten Pin Alley Store (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 14, 2009

3. Original Madison County Courthouse & Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.