Virginia City in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Barlett’s Blacksmith Shop

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2009

1. Barlett’s Blacksmith Shop Marker

Inscription. Virginia City boomed and land prices soared accordingly in 1863 and 1864, a trend well illustrated in the earliest ownership transactions of this choice commercial property. On May 13, 1864, George Parker paid $800 for the lot and sold it for $1400 on June 27. By 1869, the property owner was Herschfield, Hanauer & Company, bankers who specialized in gold exchange. A photograph from the early 1870s shows the original log building which first occupied this lot. The present rubblestone building has been constructed by 1878 to house E.J. Barlett’s blacksmith shop. Barlett advertised as a “blacksmith and machinist” from 1879 through the early 1890s. The brick veneer on the front facade was added over the stone circa 1900, and the building converted for use as a trading post in 1950. This property contributes to the Virginia City Historic District • Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior • In cooperation with the Montana Historical Society

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is

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included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1866.

Location. 45° 17.599′ N, 111° 56.738′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Wallace Street and Van Buren Street on Wallace Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia City MT 59755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country and in Greater Bozeman.

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: Creighton Stone Block (a few steps from this marker); The Remarkable Sarah Bickford (within shouting distance of this marker); Elling Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia City in the 1940s - a New Beginning

Barlett’s Blacksmith Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 5, 2009

2. Barlett’s Blacksmith Shop

The marker is on the left.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Charlie & Sue (within shouting distance of this marker); Saving Montana''s History (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); F.R. Merk Block (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.