Sometimes we wish the walls really COULD talk. There’s just something about exploring historic homes that connects us with the past. Each of these 7 houses holds a piece of our local history, and all of them allow visitors.
1. The Daly Mansion, Hamilton
The Daly Mansion symbolizes a true "rags to riches" story. Marcus Daly was a poor immigrant in the 1800s, eventually working his way up to copper magnate. He eventually moved his family into this beautiful mansion, and some say their spirits never left. You can tour the mansion daily and it is available for weddings and other events.
2. The Moss Mansion, Billings
The Moss Mansion was built in 1903 by Preston Boyd Moss, who had the architect behind the Waldorf Astoria and Plaza Hotels.
3. The Stevensville Hotel
The hotel was built by Dr. William Thornton in 1910. The current owners have put a lot of effort into remodeling it, but some of the original features remain the same. This building has served as a hospital.
4. The Original Governor’s Mansion, Helena
Can you believe this structure was built in 1888? Entrepreneur William Chessman had it built as a symbol of wealth and status. The State of Montana acquired the home in 1913 for their governors to use, and it's now open for tours administered by the Montana Historical Society.
5. The Tinsley House, Bozeman
The house was built in 1889 by William and Lucy (Nave) Tinsley. William was a banker and Leslie was a dressmaker, and the two met in Virginia City. They lived in the house with their eight children until the 1920s. The house is now a living history museum that sits on the property of the Museum of the Rockies.
6. The Conrad Mansion, Kalispell
Charles Conrad played an important role in the settlement of the Northwest during the late 1800s. He and older brother established a shipping and freight empire in Fort Benton that eventually became the most important transportation center in Montana. The mansion was always owned by the Conrad family, but eventually Charles’ youngest daughter Alicia could no longer afford to maintain it. She gifted the house to the city in the 1970s and it became a museum.
7. The Pruett House, Eureka
This building has been around since 1908. Now a bed and breakfast, it offers a quiet retreat and a comfortable, relaxing experience.
8. The Story Mansion, Bozeman
The Story Mansion is one of only three city-block mansions in Montana. It was designed by a Helena architect in 1910, and today it’s a landmark historical building.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.