Anaconda Historic District, Mahie Block, 124 East Commercial Avenue, Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, MT

Significance: This two-story brick structure has an art deco era steel facade over plate glass storefront windows, and stucco side and rear exterior walls. The building today is a dramatically altered version of the Mahie Block, originally built in 1883. The Mahie Block was one of the first commercial brick structures erected in Anaconda. In 1890, a dry goods and clothing store were located in the front of the building on the first floor. To the rear was located a large photographic gallery with a lodge hall on the second floor above. An extant photograph, c. 1890, depicting this structure's original ornate appearance, with eleven foot second story windows and ornamental cast-iron columns, is maintained by Agnes Peterson, proprietor of Peterson's Home Decorating. The first outlet for the Copper City Commercial Company, incorporated January 12, 1892 by D.J. Hennessy, Joe Peters (manager) and D.F. Hallahan, was located here. By 1896 the Copper City Commercial Company was acquired by the Anaconda Company and relocated to the S.W. corner of Main Street and Commercial Avenue. The Mahie Block was subsequently occupied by a notions store and a drug store, followed by Hasley Plumbing and in 1940 by Phillips Sheet Metal Works. Since 1976 the building has been occupied by Peterson's paint and glass store and by M.L. Devon, Dentist.
Survey number: HABS MT-53-Q
Building/structure dates: 1883 Initial Construction