Author Archives: Dablad1
Meade Hotel
Bannack was the original capital of the Montana Territory as evidenced by the photo of the recently completed court house in 1875. The county seat was moved in 1881, and the building was converted to a hotel in 1890. It boasted excellent accommodations and superb food served on fine china and white linen. It closed … Continue reading
Assay/Drug
Just to the left of the Meade are the old drug store and then the assay office. In July 2013 a devastating flash flood damaged about 80% of the 50+ old buildings in Bannack, and the assay office had to be completely rebuilt. The old photos date from the 1940s.
Skinner’s Saloon
Shown here in a 1940s photo is a building that was moved to Bannack in 1863. It operated for two years as a saloon and hang-out for road agents. It was a dry goods store for 30 years but, in a nod to Bannack’s raucous past, is still referred to as Skinner’s Saloon.
Jail
The Bannack jail was built in 1863 by the crooked sheriff Henry Plummer. He was briefly jailed there and then was hanged by vigilantes in 1864 for his role as leader of a gang responsible for over 100 murders in the area. The first photo is from the early 1940s.
Church
The First Methodist Church was built in 1877 and is seen here in an undated photograph. It is still used for community events.
School/Masonic Lodge
This building was built in 1874 and housed a school on the first floor and a Masonic Lodge on the second. The photo is from 1878. The school closed in 1951. Visitors can still see the original desks and chalkboard.
Cuneo Museum
We conclude the Chicago area sites with two classics. The first was a residence in Libertyville IL that is now known as the Cuneo Museum and Gardens. It was originally the Samuel Insul estate built in 1916. Insul made his fortune as creator of Commonwealth Edison and Peoples Gas, as well as head of the RTA … Continue reading
Mineola Hotel
Built in 1884, the Mineola Hotel in Fox Lake IL. was originally a private club for a few members of the Chicago Board of Trade. It was sold in 1891 and remodeled. The veranda was designed by the same architect who did the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. During Prohibition the Mineola was a hangout … Continue reading
Lake Street Church
For November and December we will be viewing Chicago area sites beginning with a church, The Lake Street Church (formerly First Baptist Church) is located in central Evanston IL. It opened in 1875 and continues to be Evanston’s oldest public building. The church has all original woodwork, windows, and pews. The pulpit contains wood from the 1814 White House roof. It … Continue reading
Gross Point Lighthouse
The Gross Point Lighthouse in northern Evanston IL was built in 1873. For well over a century it has helpled ensure the safety of waterborne traffic and has acted as a vital link in connecting the Great Lakes with the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Seaboard. It still contains the original second-order Fresnel lens, the … Continue reading