McCormick Neighborhood in Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

618-620 South 5th Street West

McCormick Neighborhood Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. 618-620 South 5th Street West Marker

Inscription. Arrival of the Milwaukee Railroad in 1908 created a new demand for housing. Now a four-plex but originally a duplex, this flat-roofed, two-story rental property was undoubtedly built to help fill the market for appropriate, middle-class housing. Eminently modern and respectable, the circa 1910 building features an eclectic mix of architectural elements. The flat roof and rooftop parapet references the Mission Revival style. The large wood-shingled second-story dormer echoes the Queen Anne style, but the dentils beneath the dormer cornice, the doubled porch columns, and the symmetrical façade reflect the Colonial Revival style. The building’s most distinctive—and modern—feature is the choice of concrete block, molded in a traditional stone finish—except for the decorative curlicue pattern chosen to accent the cornice. Practically unknown before 1900, concrete block became wildly popular shortly thereafter thanks to improvements in Portland cement and the invention of a machine that allowed for mass production. Modern consumers welcomed the new technology, which provided a fireproof, durable, ornamental, and economical alternative

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to stone.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 51.968′ N, 114° 0.33′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is in the McCormick Neighborhood. It is on South 5th Street West near Cottonwood Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 618-620 South 5th Street West, Missoula MT 59801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Glacier 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: 635 South 4th Street West

618-620 South 5th Street West Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 9, 2020

2. 618-620 South 5th Street West Residence and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Reed Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); 642 South Fifth Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beacom Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away); Southside Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Milwaukee Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); 128 South Sixth Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Patterson Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.