Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Thomas Francis Meagher Residence
This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022
1. Thomas Francis Meager Residence Marker
Inscription.
Thomas Francis Meagher Residence. This Property Contributes to the Virginia City Historic District. General Thomas Francis Meagher, political activist in his native Ireland and American Civil War hero, stepped into a political maelstrom when he came to Montana in September 1865. As the first territorial secretary appointed by President Andrew Johnson, Meagher soon became acting governor and lived here on Idaho Street during his tenure in the territorial capital. He was a brilliant orator and a dashing, controversial figure amongst stormy partisan loyalties. Meagher’s career ended abruptly when he mysteriously disappeared from the deck of a steamship at Fort Benton on July 1, 1867. His widow searched the river’s edges in vain for his body, but his fate remains unknown. With her husband’s whereabouts unresolved, Mrs. Meagher purchased their Virginia City home and returned East. The landmark dwelling burned circa 1905. Charles Bovey reconstructed the residence of square-hewn logs on its original site in 1945. The Helena Ancient Order of Hibernians, Thomas Francis Meagher Division, adopted and will maintain this important residence.
General Thomas Francis Meagher, political activist in his native Ireland and American Civil War hero, stepped into a political maelstrom when he came to Montana in September 1865. As the first territorial secretary appointed by President Andrew Johnson, Meagher soon became acting governor and lived here on Idaho Street during his tenure in the territorial capital. He was a brilliant orator and a dashing, controversial figure amongst stormy partisan loyalties. Meagher’s career ended abruptly when he mysteriously disappeared from the deck of a steamship at Fort Benton on July 1, 1867. His widow searched the river’s edges in vain for his body, but his fate remains unknown. With her husband’s whereabouts unresolved, Mrs. Meagher purchased their Virginia City home and returned East. The landmark dwelling burned circa 1905. Charles Bovey reconstructed the residence of square-hewn logs on its original site in 1945. The Helena Ancient Order of Hibernians, Thomas Francis Meagher Division, adopted and will maintain this important residence.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1867.
Location.
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45° 17.549′ N, 111° 56.757′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. Marker 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: 212 West Idaho Street, Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on January 16, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
