Montana Tech Campus President's Residence
Butte–Anaconda Historic District
Francis A. Thomson was the first school president to enjoy this fine residence, completed during his tenure in 1936. Thomson had declared upon his arrival in 1928 that, because of its barren grounds, the school had the “ugliest campus of any educational institution” in any of the continents. Thomson initiated and saw to completion an improvement program that entailed not only construction of the residence hall and Leonard Field, but also the extensive landscaping of the campus buildings and grounds with appropriations under the Works Progress Administration and other relief agencies. Separated from the campus by an encircling ring of mature conifers, this substantial home, with its inviting balustraded porch, twin chimneys, and tasteful brick, reflects the 1930s transformation.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects
this page online
Location. 46° 0.748′ N, 112° 33.435′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is at the intersection of West Park Street and North Prospect Avenue, on the left when traveling east on West Park Street. The marker is mounted on the stone gatepost in front of the President's Residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1315 West Park Street, Butte MT 59701, 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: Montana Tech Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the ’M’
Regarding Montana Tech Campus President's Residence. The Montana Tech President’s Residence is a non-contributing property in Butte–Anaconda Historic District, National Register of Historic Places № 66000438.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Derek Strahn, 1/2006:
Buildings of the 1920s and 1930s took on the influences of early twentieth-century Modernism. These include brick residence halls, the President's House and the Library-Museum building.The Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology is a formal circa 1900 campus, located on the edge of Butte's west side. It overlooks the city of Butte from its perch on the ridge sloping down from Big Butte. The historic design of the campus is highly intact and is centered around substantial nineteenth-century brick buildings that date to the founding of the school. The campus with its stately buildings and mature trees can be seen from much of the city. Montana Tech, reflecting the primary role of industrial education in the NHL district, retains a high level of integrity within its historic core. A mature campus setting is well preserved, where courtyards, conifers and brick buildings create a contemplative atmosphere for study. The historic campus design and buildings form the center of and dominate the complex. They are a strong symbol of the abiding ties of this college to the advancement of deep mining, and its importance to the Butte-Anaconda Historic District.
Montana Tech had its origins in the Enabling Act of 1889, and its provision of federal land grants to new states, for the purposes of establishing mining schools. Montana's legislature located the state's School of Mines in Butte, and the mining city enthusiastically supported the institution, donating land for the campus and coming to the school's aid financially during its early history. The first class graduated in 1903, launching its long tradition as one of the country's leading programs in mining engineering, with emphasis on mineral sciences and deep mining.
Also see . . .
1. Landscaping, Montana Tech University (Living New Deal).
(southeast elevation)
Excerpt: Montana's Big Timber Pioneer newspaper reported in 1938 that 40 WPA laborers were “doing a $40,000 job of tree painting, landscaping, road oiling, leveling and general beautification” at what was then known as the Montana School of Mines, now Montana Tech of the University of Montana. Most evidence of such renovations is long gone, but one rock wall we observed looks suspiciously like WPA work. WPA employment was vital to the welfare of unemployed miners around Butte, Montana during the Great Depression.(Submitted on August 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Montana Tech Campus President's Residence (Montana Historical Society). (Submitted on August 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
(northwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
