{"id":2771,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:14","latitude":45.2931774283706687356243492104113101959228515625,"longitude":-111.947002315491801027746987529098987579345703125,"title":"Blue Front Variety Store","subtitle":"Virginia City Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f9e177baf8e97d8aa715e05a81bd1ad7.jpg","address":"306 West Wallace Street, Virginia City, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":16,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"Like the Picture Gallery, the Elling Store, and several others, this 1946 building and its neighbor to the left are a faithful reconstruction of the originals. The Elephant Auction House occupied these storefronts from summer 1863 until October 1864. By November 1866, William (Judge) Douglas had painted the storefront a deep azure blue and opened the Blue Front Novelty Store. Douglas leased stalls to various small businesses that offered everything from books and magazines to stationery, toys, produce, footwear, and cigarettes. The sword-wielding man painted on the façade advertised the store’s Turkish tobacco products. William Buttermore bought the store in 1879. He ran it with few changes until his death in 1911. At the time, it was one of Virginia City’s longest-lived businesses. Despite its status as a beloved institution in town, the Blue Front was torn down, most likely in winter 1919.  A nationwide coal miners’ strike and ensuing coal shortage hit Virginia City hard, forcing freezing residents to tear down and salvage numerous abandoned buildings for firewood. After reconstruction, the building served as a penny arcade for nearly 40 years.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/655c36e6-eba6-4a96-999f-dc578b052864/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the Virginia City Historic District</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/8960a28e-0c37-4eb0-baa7-fc3d66d59220\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of the Virginia City Historic District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f9e177baf8e97d8aa715e05a81bd1ad7.jpg":{"id":2542,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Blue Front/Buttermore Variety store, Virginia City, Montana","description":"View of a small &#039;Variety Store&#039; in Virginia City, Montana, identified as Buttermore Variety and &#039;formerly Douglass.&#039; The storefront is somewhat dilapidated and a man poses in front of the doors holding a rifle or shotgun. | PAc 956-145, Montana Legacy Photograph Collection, Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT. | 1900-1915 | Unknown photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/f9e177baf8e97d8aa715e05a81bd1ad7.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/901f7296e05506a4b92a71a0c4183615.jpg":{"id":3061,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Looking southwest, at south side of Wallace Street, Virginia City, MT.","description":"By 1875, the Elephant Auction house moved off Wallace St. and William Douglass&#039;s variety store moved in. | PAc 956-310. Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT. | ca. 1875 | Unknown photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/901f7296e05506a4b92a71a0c4183615.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/ec1aa2ce62ce21d571975a557991eba8.jpg":{"id":2262,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Blue Front Variety Store, Virginia City","description":"View looking south at Blue Front facade | Courtesy of Montana Heritage Commission | Oct 2019 | Kate Steeley, Montana Heritage Commission","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/ec1aa2ce62ce21d571975a557991eba8.jpg"}}}