{"id":3347,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:58:08","latitude":46.024793846165465538433636538684368133544921875,"longitude":-112.53087222576141357421875,"title":"127 East Center Street","subtitle":"Butte Historic District","fullsize":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/eecf2d3218d47877704a703960cf369c.jpg","address":"127 East Center St., Butte","all_locations":[],"zoom":18,"creator":["Montana Historical Society"],"description":"Legend has it that the accidental death of a young boy on a mining claim prompted the construction of this boardinghouse circa 1897. Copper miner Alexander Rowe and his wife, Esther, had purchased the lot from wealthy businessman Patrick Largey. The Rowes operated a neighborhood boardinghouse catering mostly to mine workers. Its size and fashionable design, reminiscent of the Georgian style, make this a Centerville landmark. A square plan and five arched windows across the front reveal the Georgian influence while the front porch, an amenity essential to any boardinghouse, features typical Victorian-era ornamentation including original spindlework, curved balusters, and scroll brackets. The Rowes made their home here along with their daughter and several other family members. In 1910, an engineer, a watchman, and an Episcopal clergyman were among the ten boarders. By the late 1930s, the John Downey family was in residence and the boardinghouse was converted to a single family home.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/eecf2d3218d47877704a703960cf369c.jpg":{"id":5212,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"127 East Center Street, Butte","description":"View of facade | July 2012 | Google Streetview Image Capture","thumbnail":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/square_thumbnails/eecf2d3218d47877704a703960cf369c.jpg"}}}