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

William O'Brien House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

1. William O'Brien House Marker

Inscription. William O’Brien arrived in the gold-mining and ranching town of Sheridan, Montana, in 1881 and began selling liquor from a small sixteen-by-twenty-foot building. He was one of the town’s three suppliers of “wet groceries” (liquor), the quality of which, according to the October 13, 1894, Madisonian, was “as good as ever painted landscapes on the brain of man.” Sales were brisk, his business flourished, and O’Brien assumed increasing prominence in the community. He served as a school trustee, as one of Sheridan’s original aldermen, and as a member of the Montana legislature. In 1889, O’Brien purchased a large, corner lot (100 x 200 feet) for $160 from the estate of early Sheridan pioneer Hugh Duncan. Five years later he built this two-story, brick residence, where he lived with his wife, Mary, and their three daughters. The home’s size, design, and materials spoke to O’Brien’s political and financial success. Most homes in Sheridan—a town of 350 people in 1893—were built of wood; thus, the brick O’Brien residence, with its standing-seam metal roof, stood out. The irregularly shaped residence reflects the Italian Renaissance

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style, as seen in the building’s two-story, three-bay façade, its small, restrained porch, and its wide projecting cornice that draws attention to the hipped roof. Segmental brick arches and stone lintels grace the windows, which are set in walls three bricks deep. Although William died of Bright’s disease in 1901 at age forty-five, the home remained in the O’Brien family until 1927.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 45° 27.267′ N, 112° 11.671′ W. Marker is in Sheridan, Montana, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of East Poppleton Street and Jefferson Street on East Poppleton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 East Poppleton Street, Sheridan MT 59749, 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.

William O'Brien House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

2. William O'Brien House and Marker

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bethel United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sheridan Montana - The Heart of the Ruby Valley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robber's Roost (approx. 4.9 miles away); Pavilion (approx. 9.1 miles away); Which way did they go? (approx. 9.1 miles away); Recognizing her people's land (approx. 9.1 miles away); Jefferson River - Beaverhead River (approx. 9.1 miles away); "...a handsome little river..." (approx. 9.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheridan.

William O'Brien House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2022

3. William O'Brien House

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.