Red Lodge in Carbon County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Plunkett's Hardware

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 26, 2011

1. Plunkett's Hardware Marker

Inscription. High transom windows that provide interior light for a mezzanine commercial display area are an interesting design feature of this well-constructed commercial building. The simple chain-patterned ornamentation of buff brick across the tall parapet continues the rhythm of the district’s historic streetscape. James Plunkett moved his plumbing and hardware business to an earlier building at this location after 1909, and by 1917 he had completed this masonry replacement. During the 1930s, avid Red Lodge bowlers enjoyed a basement four-lane bowling alley accessed by the rear entrance. Surviving portions of the alleys and both women’s and men’s rooms reveal that women players, new to the sport in the '30s, were welcomed. Today the building houses important historic photographic collections of the Red Lodge area which current owners have made available to the public.

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 45° 11.168′ N, 109° 14.826′ W. Marker is in Red Lodge, Montana, in Carbon County. It is at the intersection

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of North Broadway Avenue (U.S. 212) and 12th Street, on the left when traveling north on North Broadway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Red Lodge MT 59068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Billings.

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: Charles Antilla Building (a few steps from this marker); Red Lodge Commercial District (a few steps from this marker); Alcazar (Star) Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); The Iris Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Marino and Blackburn Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Iarussi Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); W.R. Hall Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Lodge.

Also see . . . Red Lodge, Montana - Gateway to Yellowstone Park. (Submitted on August 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Plunkett's Hardware image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 26, 2011

2. Plunkett's Hardware

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 711 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.