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

Coggswell - Taylor Cabins

This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. Coggswell - Taylor Cabins Marker

Inscription. The history of these two false-fronted cabins, joined by the 1890s, is interwoven with Virginia City’s African-American pioneers. The two separate, 1860s log cabins served both residential and commercial purposes. Minerva Coggswell acquired this property, according to her will, “by her own hard labor.” She and her sister, Parthenia Sneed, were among a few adventurous, independent black women who carved niches for themselves in western communities. The sisters took in laundry, ran a Wallace Street restaurant, and by 1880 kept boarders like Kentucky-born African-American Jack Taylor. Taylor served in the Union army during the Civil War and came to Virginia City in 1866, freighting for the outfit of Majors and Russell. Taylor continued freighting, accumulated livestock, and owned considerable property, including these cabins purchased after Minerva’s death in 1894. Taylor lived here until he died in 1926. Sarah Bickford, who rose from slavery to become Virginia City’s competent water company owner, cared for Taylor during his last illness and then acquired the cabins. Taylor’s tombstone in Hillside Cemetery recalls a life

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of honest labor: “While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest shall not cease.”

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 17.511′ N, 111° 56.792′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on Jackson Street near West Idaho Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 Jackson 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

Coggswell - Taylor Cabins and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. Coggswell - Taylor Cabins and Marker

The marker is on the front wall of the cabin in the rear.

Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Integration on the Mining Frontier (a few steps from this marker); African American Entrepreneurs (a few steps from this marker); Original Madison County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hargrave/Vanderbeck House (within shouting distance of this marker); Tootle, Leach & Company Warehouse (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); Susie Marr House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.