Butte's most prominent nineteenth-century architect, H. M. Patterson was the one responsible for the design of the Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT) lodge, a late-Victorian building erected in 1891.
A temperance organization dedicated to ridding the world of "Demon Rum" and, of course, all alcoholic beverages, we would guess that they fought an uphill battle in Butte, as a great percentage of the population at that time consisted of single young Irish and Cornish miners, legendary for their affinity for grog.
While today the IOGT is an international organization, with lodges in many countries, the IOGT of Butte is long gone, the building housing a succession of retail outlets. Some, or many, of the businesses listed below may have inhabited the lower floor while the IOGT remained on the upper floor. As of 2017 the most recent business to occupy the building, Broadway Antiques, has closed its doors and the building is for sale.
Following is one of many ads placed in the local papers noting upcoming events and meetings at the IOGT Hall. This one was placed on Page 8 of the May 24, 1919 edition of
The Butte Daily Bulletin.
