|
Historic Courthouse and Hotel Meade
Courthouse/Hotel Meade today, July, 2008,
Kathy Weiser.
Bannack was
named the County Seat of Beaverhead County in 1864, and the county offices
were first held in two log cabins near the site of where the new
courthouse would be built. The impressive two-story brick structure was
built in 1875 at a cost of some $14,000. But, the building's role in
government would be short. By 1880, mining in the area had declined
dramatically and
Bannack had
become more of an agricultural community. In the meantime, the town of
Dillon, some 25 miles to the east, had become an important shipping and
economic center after the Utah and Northern Railroad established a
terminus there. Dillon townsfolk soon lobbied the Territorial Legislature
to move the County Seat to their town. Though the
Bannack's
citizens fought hard to keep the title, but a special election was held in
February, 1881 which officially moved the county seat to Dillon.
|
See More
Bannack!
Bannack-Gold
to Ghosts
Haunted Bannack
Henry Plummer -
Sheriff Meets a Noose
Montana Ghost
Towns
|
|
The building than sat empty until about 1890
when it was sold to Dr. John Christian Meade for $1,250. Meade soon began
to remodel the building into a hotel, adding an "L" shaped addition to the
rear, that held a large kitchen, dining room, and living quarters. The new
Meade Hotel quickly became the social center of the community as its
dining room featured linen tablecloths and fine china. The Meade Hotel
operated sporadically over the years until it closed for the last time in
the 1940s.
© Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated September, 2008
Continued Next Page
Return to
Bannack, Montana
Return to Vintage Photographs
|
|
From the Rocky Mountain General Store
 Vintage
Photographs of the Old West - From our personal
Photo Print Shop, you can now order prints that provide
dramatic glimpses into the rich heritage of the
American
West. From notorious
outlaws,
to
Indian Chiefs,
buffalo
roaming the range, and pioneers on the trail, this varied collection grows
daily.
 |
Please report
broken links, missing pictures, or other problems online by clicking
