The historic resources of Bozeman, Montana are significant due to their ability to accurately portray the social and economic forces that shaped the historic character and physical appearance of this stable and rather prosperous western Montana community. The commercial patterns of development, resulting in the evolution of a typical, western vernacular Main Street, are evidenced by the one- and two-story masonry buildings dating from the early 1880's through to the late 1930's that line both sides of the street. Although some important examples of late 19th century vernacular and high-style residential architecture exist today, Bozeman's neighborhoods are primarily characterized by the extensive blocks of early 20th century, carpenter-built housing. The degree to which the community's commercial and residential historic districts retain their original ambience and architectural character is unusual in Montana. The relative stability of the Bozeman economy likely has supported this remarkable level of preservation.
The town of Bozeman was established as a strategically situated frontier outpost located on the west side of Bozeman Pass, which was the mountain crossing for a major transportation route to the gold mines of western Montana. As early as the mid-1860's Bozeman existed as a trading center for a burgeoning agricultural hinterland, which supplied basic commodities to the miners who crowded in at the major strikes in Virginia City, Bannack, and Helena. The importance of regional commerce to the early Bozeman merchants is clearly depicted by the active role they played in bringing to the attention of the D.S. Government the threat they thought posed by Indians to unfettered travel or railroad construction during the mid-1870's. - NRHP, 23 October 1987
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