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

Dance and Stuart Store

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

1. Dance and Stuart Store Marker

Inscription. James Stuart and his brother Granville set up the first sluice boxes in the northern Rockies in 1852. Delaware native Walter B. Dance came to Gold Creek in 1862. James Stuart and Dance opened their mercantile in November, 1863. One of Virginia City’s most complete and respected shops, Dance and Stuart also briefly housed the post office. Club Foot George Lane, reputed member of the infamous Plummer Gang, lived at the store and was arrested there by the Vigilantes in 1864. A year later, the Montana Historical Society was founded in the building. The original Dance and Stuart was demolished circa 1925, and Charles Bovey built this replica of vintage logs 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

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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 month for this entry is November 1863.

Location. 45° 17.592′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

111° 56.888′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on Wallace Street. The Dance and Stuart Store marker is located on the north side of Wallace Street between Main and Jackson Streets. 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: Fight of the Century and Flour Riots (within shouting distance of this marker); Kramer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sauerbier Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia City National Historic Landmark District (within shouting distance of

Dance and Stuart Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

2. Dance and Stuart Store

The marker is beneath the porch roof.

this marker); J.F. Stoer Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Prasch Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Strasburger’s Colorado Store (within shouting distance of this marker); G. Goldberg Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

3. Dance and Stuart Store

Detail from the Dance and Stuart Store the false-front.

Dance and Stuart Store, interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

4. Dance and Stuart Store, interior

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 869 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.