{"id":2412,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-10-11 01:41:21","latitude":45.7806317000000007055859896354377269744873046875,"longitude":-108.5055502999999816893250681459903717041015625,"title":"Parmly Billings Memorial Library","subtitle":"Billings Old Town Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/a62e6f2c31951f4b3f005c768309c902.jpg","address":"2822 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"In 1901, the Billings community celebrated the opening of this city landmark as its new library. It would, the paper reported, make Billings “a better place in which to live.” Designed by architect C. S. Haire, the elegant structure was built using native sandstone. It features the steep roofs, turrets, and rounded arches typical of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The library sits on land donated to the city by the Northern Pacific Railroad, and was built through the generous philanthropy of the Billings family. City founder Frederick Billings was a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Frederick Billings, Jr., gave $20,000 for the building and its furnishings in memory of his brother, Parmly, who died at age twenty-five in 1888. The Billings family again donated funds in 1913 and 1923 to construct the east and west wings. The city’s continuing growth forced the relocation of the public library in the 1960s. In 1971, the building was saved from demolition and became the Western Heritage Center, a regional museum which interprets Montana history.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"http://billingslibrary.org/DocumentCenter/View/32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parmly Billings Library: The First Hundred Years (PDF)</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/f13cb3d8-afce-49ea-9d79-41c1f41859b0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about Parmly Billings Memorial Library</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/a62e6f2c31951f4b3f005c768309c902.jpg":{"id":6872,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Parmly Billings Library","description":"View of facade, facing southeast on Montaan Avenue.  | Montana Historical Society | September 2026 | Arizona Duff","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/a62e6f2c31951f4b3f005c768309c902.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/1382ab10d20b1169590e9c1f71773340.jpg":{"id":1061,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Miss Mable Collins the first librarian at Parmly Billings Library","description":"The original Parmly Billings Memorial Library, named after Frederick and Julia Billings&#039; eldest child, was dedicated in October, 1901.  The Richardsonian Romanesque building located at 2822 Montana Avenue, was constructed in three phases. Black and white photograph.  | Montana History Portal | 1901 | Unknown","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/1382ab10d20b1169590e9c1f71773340.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/48d0c384e05e8a7fd71584c7887ae549.jpg":{"id":1062,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Parmly Billings Library","description":"Parmly Billings Library, facing west on Montana Avenue, side/front view. Black and white photograph.  | Montana History Portal | 1948 | Unknown","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/48d0c384e05e8a7fd71584c7887ae549.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/86ca7ae6f7f114d7ed9e65113686ca2a.jpg":{"id":1063,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Parmly Billings Library","description":"Parmly Billings Library, facing west on Montana Avenue, side/front view. Black and white photograph.  | Montana History Portal | 1957 | Unknown","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/86ca7ae6f7f114d7ed9e65113686ca2a.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/1ad38fcebe33097dcf0766233c43816a.jpg":{"id":1064,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Parmly Billings Library","description":"Parmly Billings Library, facing west on Montana Avenue, side/front view. Black and white photograph.  | Montana History Portal | 1930 | Unknown","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/1ad38fcebe33097dcf0766233c43816a.jpg"}}}