The three two storey tall oriel windows across the front of the second story of the Ivanhoe Block are somewhat unusual, if not unique in Butte. Architect George De Snell designed thm to be made of brick, whereas it was much more common for bow windows of this type to be done in wood, sometimes even with iron corner posts. The brickwork of the windows results in a very interesting effect, enhanced by what we take to be dark brown terra cotta trim around each window, as well as another band of similar material stretching site to side above the windows. Brick corbelling at the cornice results in a line of dentils. Small modillions line the underside of each of the eaves of the three windows. In dark colored circles between the windows is the year of construction, 19 and 05.
When built the building was first home to a bakery and a barber shop shop. In 1910 the bakery moved to other quarters and the owners, Robert McBride and Patrick Talent, opened a pool hall, with the barber shop remaining as part of it. In 1913, as the result of a fire, the entire interior was remodeled, the new design also by local architect George De Snell. De Snell was a fairly prolific designer of Butte buildings and well respected in the town.
In the old news papers of Butte it's a simple matter to find accounts of murders, robberies and other skulduggery. Following is one example, the setting for which was the pool hall of the Ivanhoe Block, the time, Halloween Day, 1903. Trick or treat.
BECK ON TRIAL FOR ROBBING ZACHMAN
The Butte Daily Post | October 31, 1917 Page 9
Holdup Said to Have Occurred in Iona Pool Hall—Companion Escaped
Harry Beck, charged with the holdup of Joseph Zachman, foreman of the Pittsmont smelter, is on trial before Judge John V. Dwyer today, with Attorney John A. Groeneveld representing the defendant and Deputy County Attorneys Frank L. Riley and A. C. McDaniels appearing for the state...
...Joseph Zachman was the first witness. He said that he recognized Beck as the man robbed him in the pool room. The witness said that he entered the poolroom for the purpose of having a game of pool. He was playing pea pool when the defendant came up to him and wanted him to allow him to "shoot" for him. After a few games he went to the rear of the room and entered the toilet. He saw Beck and another man following him. As soon as he got inside and closed the door Beck and his companion came in and the defendant jumped on his back and at the same time slipped his hand into his pocket and took out a wallet containing $17. Beck and his companion ran away and he gave the alarm and the defendant was captured by a police.
Zachman's cross-examination is proceeding this afternoon.
From the Montana Standard