Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Mitchell Block
This Property Contributes to Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022
1. Mitchell Block Marker
Inscription.
Mitchell Block. This Property Contributes to Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District. Deer Lodge flourished after its designation in 1908 as a division point for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Housing, dining, and entertainment were then at a premium. The Mitchell Block opened in 1913 to help fill these niches, offering a saloon, grill room, dining rooms, and private card rooms in its two storefronts. Nineteen “large and airy” second-floor sleeping rooms featured hot and cold running water while two shared bathrooms encouraged Saturday-night baths. H. B. Grant drew the plans for this handsome example of the Western Commercial style. The façade features inlaid squares of contrasting decorative brick, dentils and brackets at the cornice line, and cement coping. A central molded wood panel proclaims the date, 1913, and the name “Mitchell.” Dr. Armistead H. Mitchell was a civic leader in the Deer Lodge community and co-founder of what became the state hospital at nearby Warm Springs. Dr. Mitchell died in 1898; his estate financed the Mitchell Block. By 1920, Kate McGillis, who later owned the building, lived upstairs with her two young sons and ran the lodging house.
Deer Lodge flourished after its designation in 1908 as a division point for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Housing, dining, and entertainment were then at a premium. The Mitchell Block opened in 1913 to help fill these niches, offering a saloon, grill room, dining rooms, and private card rooms in its two storefronts. Nineteen “large and airy” second-floor sleeping rooms featured hot and cold running water while two shared bathrooms encouraged Saturday-night baths. H. B. Grant drew the plans for this handsome example of the Western Commercial style. The façade features inlaid squares of contrasting decorative brick, dentils and brackets at the cornice line, and cement coping. A central molded wood panel proclaims the date, 1913, and the name “Mitchell.” Dr. Armistead H. Mitchell was a civic leader in the Deer Lodge community and co-founder of what became the state hospital at nearby Warm Springs. Dr. Mitchell died in 1898; his estate financed the Mitchell Block. By 1920, Kate McGillis, who later owned the building, lived upstairs with her two young sons and ran the lodging house.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce •
Location. 46° 23.904′ N, 112° 44.122′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. Marker is on Main Street (Business Interstate 90) near Missouri Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 414 Main Street, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
