Wibaux Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wibaux Commercial Historic District
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by W. Orgain Ave., Wibaux, E. 1st Ave., S., and E, Wibaux, Montana |
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| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1905 |
| Built by | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Chicago, Late Victorian, Western Commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002170 |
| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1989 |
The Wibaux Commercial Historic District is a special area in Wibaux, Montana, that is recognized for its important history. It's like a collection of old buildings that tell a story about the town's past. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 28, 1989. When it was first listed, it included 12 buildings that were considered important to its history. These buildings show how Wibaux grew from a small settlement into a busy town.
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Exploring the Historic Buildings of Wibaux
The Wibaux Commercial Historic District is home to several unique buildings. Each one has its own story and special features. Let's take a closer look at some of these amazing places.
Chappell Block: A Grand Building from 1911
The Chappell Block is a very impressive building. It was built in 1911 with help from Stephen B. Chappell, a well-known person in Wibaux. This building actually combines two structures that look like one from the outside.
What Was Inside the Chappell Block?
When it first opened, the Chappell Block was home to several businesses. It had the Chappell Hotel, the First State Bank, and even a grocery store. Imagine all those different places under one roof!
Special Features of the Chappell Block
The building shows off amazing craftsmanship. It has colorful bricks and fancy decorations above its two main entrances. These details make it a beautiful example of early 20th-century architecture. It's a sophisticated building for a small western town.
Clark Hardware Company: A Key Part of Wibaux's Growth
The Clark Hardware Company building was constructed in 1916. Harold G. Clark and Orlando Burgess, who owned the hardware store, built this one-story brick and stucco building. It represents a time when Wibaux was growing a lot economically.
What Businesses Were Here?
Originally, this building housed the hardware store itself. But it also had a funeral parlor, a jewelry store, and a tailor shop. It was a busy spot in town!
Decorative Touches on the Clark Hardware Building
The building has six decorative panels on its upper part. Above the center door, you can see colorful bricks arranged in cool patterns like zigzags and diamonds. These details make the building stand out.
Kinney Block: A Modern Marvel of 1910
The Kinney Block, also known as the First National Bank Building, was built in 1910. J. C. Kinney and other local business people formed a company to construct this large, two-story building. It cost $33,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
Advanced Features for Its Time
The building was very modern for its era. It had hot water heating and hot and cold water in every room. A year after it was built, an electric plant was added in the basement. This plant had a generator and a large battery. It provided electricity for lights, even when the main plant wasn't running.
Early Businesses and Later Uses
Many different businesses were located here. There was a clothing store, a drug store, the post office, a barbershop, and a real estate office. The First National Bank also had offices on the second floor. Later, in the 1950s, the building became the Palace Hotel and Cafe, which it still is today.
Smith Saloon: From Saloon to City Hall
The Smith Saloon building was built between 1904 and 1906. This was a time when Wibaux was changing from a cattle town to a farming center. It started as a saloon, owned by William H. Smith and his partners.
Changes Over the Years
The saloon was later sold and became the Wibaux County Bank. After the bank closed, Wibaux County bought the building in 1923. It was then used as the county courthouse and jail. Since 1952, the building has served as the City Hall and the public library.
Unique Architectural Details
The Smith Saloon building is a great example of early 20th-century commercial architecture. It has a fancy front wall with battlements, which look like the top of a castle. It also has decorative columns and a recessed doorway. These features make it a very important building in the historic district.
Woodburn Building: A Partnership in Brick
Brothers Burl and William Woodburn worked together to build this strong commercial building in 1917. It has a unique look with its colorful bricks and gently sloped roof edges.
Who Used the Woodburn Building?
The upper floor of the Woodburn Building was home to the Masonic Temple, a meeting place for a community group. The Woodburn Brothers Grocery store occupied the ground floor. The building changed owners in 1921.
Distinctive Decorations
The building features windows and doors framed with terra cotta tiles, which are a type of baked clay. These tiles add a nice contrast to the building's simple rectangular shape. You can also see many T- and diamond-shaped terra cotta decorations on the upper level.
