James J. Sullivan House

Introduction

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This historic home was built in 1914 by James J. Sullivan, who was a prominent and influential local businessman in the early 20th century. The house is also a good example of Craftsman architecture, featuring typical elements of that style such as a low-pitched roof with exposed rafters, gabled dormers, and decorative brick porch columns. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its Craftsman design and connection to Sullivan.

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The James J. Sullivan House was built by its namesake in 1914. It is a good example of Craftsman architecture.

Backstory and Context

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James J. Sullivan arrived in Hardin sometime after it was founded in 1908. Apparently, he knew the County Commissioner to Yellowstone County, Guen F. Burla, who invited him to Hardin (Burla was also president of the First National Bank). By 1913, Sullivan was the president of the Third Street Investment Company; his wife, Anna, worked as the secretary treasurer. That year the company erected Hardin's first commercial building called the Sullivan Building, where the Big Horn County offices were located until 1918 and again from 1923 to 1937, when the courthouse was built. Sullivan started to build the house 1913 and it was finished the next year. In the coming years he served as assistant cashier for the First National Bank and manager of the Hardin Gas Company. By 1920 he moved to Billings and the house was sold in a sheriff's sale.

The next owner of note, E.E. Jacobson, bought the house in 1932. He opened a store in 1924 and also began selling trucks to local farmers. The Jacobson family owned the home until 1980. The home remains a private residence today.

Sources

Redding, Jackie. "James J. Sullivan House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 11, 1991. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/91000380_text.

"Walking Tour of Hardin, Montana." Big Horn County Historic Preservation Office. April 11, 1991. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/91000380_text.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HardinMT_JamesJSullivanHouse.jpg

Additional Information

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: James J. Sullivan House