Anaconda Historic District, 225-229 East Commercial Avenue, Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, MT

Significance: Number 225 East Commercial Avenue is a two-story brick building having a corrugated metal storefront with stucco at the second story exterior. The front of the building is rented to State Farm Insurance and the rear portion is leased to Montana Power Company. There are four apartments on the second floor. Built in 1948, this building block measures 25' x 140.' It was formerly occupied by Geil's Motor Company. A wood frame building stood on this site in the 1890's, serving first as a sewing machine store, and subsequently a millinery shop and cigar shop. The current structure forms a part of a continuous storefront facade next to the Commercial Tire Center. The 1930's style facade was probably applied after a fire partially destroyed the adjacent buildings. The one-story brick and stucco building (229 East Commercial Avenue) contains 7,000 square feet and is currently occupied by the Anaconda Tire Center, Incorporated. The date of the present brick structure is not known. According to oral reports, the building was once owned by Marcus Daly. It was used as a theater and later as an arena for prize-fighting exhibitions. John L. Sullivan reportedly appeared and fought here. The current structure consists of several separate brick buildings which, when damaged by fire, were incorporated into one storefront facade.
Survey number: HABS MT-53-R
Building/structure dates: ca. 1875- ca. 1899 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1948 Subsequent Work