Filed Under Butte

Dr. John D. McGregor Residence

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Newly graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in veterinary surgery, Dr. John D. McGregor arrived in the Mining City in 1889. Copper king Marcus Daly launched the young doctor’s career, hiring him to care for horses on the Butte hill. That began a long association with the Anaconda Company and began a lucrative private practice. In 1918, the doctor, his wife Laura, and their two small daughters settled into this impressive home. Built in 1915 and grandly placed on a prominent rise, the New England style English cottage is a model of perfect symmetry with its paired gabled dormers and centered entry. Rich classical revival style details include two sets of regal ionic columns that flank the entrance and support a triangular gable, or pediment. A baroque-style wreath and intricate scrollwork embellish the pediment. A gated brick retaining wall at street level and mature landscaping add historic ambiance. Daughter Helen—a beloved speech and drama teacher at Butte High School—kept house here after her parents’ deaths in the 1950s. The McGregor family retained ownership through the 1980s.

Images

Dr. John D. McGregor Residence
Dr. John D. McGregor Residence Dr. John D. McGregor Residence (PAc 91-51 B2 RollLB09 F15). Front to side view of the house, facing northwest on West Mercury Street. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Linda Bell Date: 1984
Dr. John D. McGregor Residence
Dr. John D. McGregor Residence Dr. John D. McGregor Residence (PAc 91-51 B2 RollLB09 F16). Front view of the house, facing north on West Mercury Street. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Linda Bell Date: 1984

Location

1139 West Mercury Street, Butte, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Dr. John D. McGregor Residence,” Historic Montana, accessed March 28, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/2418.