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 Dixon-Duncan Block - Missoula, MT Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 46° 52.312 W 113° 59.650
12T E 271829 N 5195278
Built by a Republican, Joseph Dixon, and a Democrat, Asa L. Duncan, this 1887 commercial building was the product of the partnership of a pair of Missoula lawyers. The Republican, Joseph Dixon, went on to become Governor of Montana from 1921 to 1925.
Waymark Code: WMKNQT
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2014
Views: 1
Two Missoula attorneys on opposing sides of the political arena teamed up to construct this attractive commercial building in 1897. Republican Joseph Dixon, who later became Governor of Montana (1921-1925), began his political career as Missoula County attorney in 1894. He returned to practice law in this newly completed building while his building partner, Democrat Asa L. Duncan, succeeded him as county attorney.
Duncan soon resigned, however, to serve as captain of Company L in the first Montana Volunteers during the Spanish American War/Philippine Insurrection. He saw action at Manila and was mustered out as a major in 1899. By 1903, both men had their respective law offices in the building. Dixon served as U.S. senator from 1906 to 1913, maintaining his offices here until 1911. Duncan practiced law until he was elected fourth judicial district judge in 1913, a position he held until 1937. Upon retirement, Duncan had the state’s second longest service record as a trial jurist.
In the 1920s, the building became known as the Duncan & Peterson Block where the Peterson Drug Store was a longtime first-floor occupant. The graceful Romanesque arches and unique brickwork reflect Missoula’s turn-of-the-century good fortune and are a lasting tribute to two dynamic Montanans. Unlike most historic storefronts long since modernized, the first floor retains its multi-pane leaded transom and original metal window frames. Carrara glass surrounding the street-level stairway entry, added during the 1920s or 1930s, speaks to more recent stylistic trends.
From the NRHP Plaque
Street address:
240 North Higgins
Missoula, MT USA
59802
County / Borough / Parish: Missoula County
Year listed: 1997
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Commerce, Architecture
Periods of significance: 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Historic function: Commerce/Trade - Business, Professional
Current function: Commerce/Trade
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2014 To: 12/31/2014
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: [Web Link]
Hours of operation: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
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