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

Elling Bank

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

1. Elling Bank Marker

Inscription. Bankers Nowlan and Weary set up business in this brick-veneered building, one of the town’s oldest stone structures, in 1864. Three well-proportioned gothic arches with elaborate tracery, removed during 1910 remodeling, originally graced this stone facade. In 1873, Henry Elling took over the banking business. His first fortune, made in merchandising, had disappeared along with his partner, but Elling quickly recouped his losses. The buying of gold dust proved a most profitable venture and Elling became an expert, able to determine the exact location of extraction from the texture and color of the dust. Under his shrewd direction, Elling’s tiny bank became the first financial capital of Montana. The ornate vault, still intact, always carried large amounts of dust. The Elling State Bank was organized in 1899 and Elling died a millionaire the following year. His family continued to operate the bank for another thirty years. 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

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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 year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 45° 17.615′ N, 111° 56.739′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Montana, in Madison County. It is on Wallace Street near Van Buren Street. This maker is located on the north side of Wallace Street between Jackson and Van Buren 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:

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

2. Elling Bank

The marker is on the right-side of the front.

The Remarkable Sarah Bickford (a few steps from this marker); Virginia City in the 1940s - a New Beginning (a few steps from this marker); Charlie & Sue (a few steps from this marker); Saving Montana''s History (a few steps from this marker); Old Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Barlett’s Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Creighton Stone Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Hangman’s Building (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. Elling Bank Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 6, 2009

4. Elling Bank

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.