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. 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.

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Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 46° 23.904′ N, 112° 44.122′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. 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: Rialto Theatre (a few steps from this

Mitchell Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. Mitchell Block and Marker

marker); National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Larabie Brothers Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Thompson Photo Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Safeway (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Post Office (about 400 feet away); Deer Lodge Post Office (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.