By 1890, copper mining boomed in Butte, attracting droves of new workers and real estate speculators. That year, the Curtis and Majors real estate firm replaced a wood-frame dwelling on this lot with a narrow one-story bay-fronted brick residence. Undertaker and music store owner Eugene H. Sherman purchased the home as an investment in 1891 for $4,500. After the Silver Panic of 1893 (a nationwide economic depression), he sold the home in 1895 to widow Mary Crangle for just $2,500. Combination Mine blacksmith Alexander Gray and his wife Winnifred purchased the home in 1904, and in 1908 they added the second story. Sadly, Alexander fell victim to tuberculosis in 1912, joining the ranks of 675 Butte mine workers claimed by respiratory disease between 1907 and 1913. Winnifred remained in residence and raised children “Mose” Alex Jr., Lucy, and Walter, while renting rooms to miners. Mose later worked as an electrician and remained at home. After Winnifred died in 1944, Mose lived downstairs with male boarders and Lucy, recently widowed, lived upstairs with her son Alec and women boarders. Both siblings died in 1971.
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