{"id":890,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:09","latitude":45.29286840616902054534875787794589996337890625,"longitude":-111.948089066815782643971033394336700439453125,"title":"Frank Prasch Blacksmith Shop","subtitle":"Virginia City National Historic Landmark District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/965f9c17e28df99e5ad4c7cc1ef94466.jpg","address":"326 West Wallace Street, Virginia City, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":16,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"Like the blacksmith shop next door, this early building was probably a dance hall or saloon in the mid-1860s run by owner John Trollman. In 1865, Trollman was one of Virginia City’s seventy-three licensed retail liquor dealers. By the 1870s, a larger door and higher roof had been added to accommodate Frank Prasch and Fred Kohls’ blacksmith shop. Prasch operated the shop until about 1914, then sold out to Louis Romey, who continued until 1946. The building, in near ruin, was rescued by the Historic Landmark Society of Montana. With funds donated by C. A. Bovey, its false front was rebuilt using vintage board and square nails.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/22389964-91bd-4c66-917f-0279004a042e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about Virginia City National Historic Landmark District</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/e0b9251f-b92e-4e8e-ae20-c0bc3cec7394/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of Virginia City National Historic Landmark District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/965f9c17e28df99e5ad4c7cc1ef94466.jpg":{"id":2798,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Frank Prasch Blacksmith Shop/Sauerbier Blacksmith Shop, Virginia City, MT","description":"View looking south at Frank Prasch Blacksmith Shop on left and Sauerbier Blacksmith Shop on right | National Historic Landmark nomination form for Viriginia City. From an inventory report compiled by Olaf Hagen, U.S. Forest Service Region 2, 1937. On file at the Montana State Historic Preservation Office and the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D. C. | Sept 1937 | W. R. Rankin, photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/965f9c17e28df99e5ad4c7cc1ef94466.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/348c2e88ebcaaf48aac355730c211fb3.jpg":{"id":2316,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Frank Prasch Blacksmith Shop, Virginia City","description":"View looking south at building facade | Courtesy of Montana Heritage Commission | Oct 2019 | Kate Steeley, Montana Heritage Commission","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/348c2e88ebcaaf48aac355730c211fb3.jpg"}}}