Near Philipsburg in Granite County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Miner's Union Hall
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2009
1. Miner's Union Hall Marker
Inscription.
Miner's Union Hall. . Built in 1890 at a cost of $23,000, this three-story building was once the social center of a bustling mining town. The first floor was constructed of native granite. The cast iron front held 6 large windows and small colored glass panes. The upper stories were brick, and the roof was covered with sheet metal. Interior walls and ceilings were plastered, and elaborate molded pine trim was artificially grained to look like hardwood. Lighting was by oil lamps, one of which weighed 400 lbs.
The second floor housed union offices, a library, and a large hall with an 18ft. ceiling, wallpaper and a special maple “spring floor” for dancing. At the back was a stage. 500 folding chairs provided seating for concerts, operas and theatricals. The first floor was a recreation hall for miners, with billiards and card tables. On the third floor was a meeting room used by clubs and secret orders.
In the 1890s. buildings along Main Street included saloons, rooming houses and restaurants. Across the street from the Union Hall was the newspaper office, and in the gully below was Chinatown and the red light district. , STAY OFF AND AWAY , Walls are unstable
Built in 1890 at a cost of $23,000, this three-story building was once the social center of a bustling mining town. The first floor was constructed of native granite. The cast iron front held 6 large windows and small colored glass panes. The upper stories were brick, and the roof was covered with sheet metal. Interior walls and ceilings were plastered, and elaborate molded pine trim was artificially grained to look like hardwood. Lighting was by oil lamps, one of which weighed 400 lbs.
The second floor housed union offices, a library, and a large hall with an 18ft. ceiling, wallpaper and a special maple “spring floor” for dancing. At the back was a stage. 500 folding chairs provided seating for concerts, operas and theatricals. The first floor was a recreation hall for miners, with billiards and card tables. On the third floor was a meeting room used by clubs and secret orders.
In the 1890s. buildings along Main Street included saloons, rooming houses and restaurants. Across the street from the Union Hall was the newspaper office, and in the gully below was Chinatown and the red light district.
STAY OFF AND AWAY
Walls are unstable
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 46°
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19.071′ N, 113° 14.974′ W. Marker is near Philipsburg, Montana, in Granite County. Marker is on Contract Mill Road. Granite is located approx. 4 miles from Philipsburg, out the dirt/gravel Granite Mountain Road. Inquire at the Pintler Ranger Station or locally. Follow the signs to Granite. Park in the parking lot, it is foot traffic only. A walking guide may be available. The marker is located on the main street. Street names do not matter very much in Granite as they are all unsigned. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philipsburg MT 59858, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
