Filed Under Billings

1110 North 31st Street

North Elevation Historic District

A near twin to a home designed by renowned architect Percy Bentley in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this two-story Prairie style residence was built circa 1912 for Louis and Sarah Dousman. The Dousmans had close connections to La Crosse, where Sarah was raised. Louis was from nearby Prairie Du Chien, the grandson of fur trade magnate L. H. Dousman. The couple moved to Billings on the advice of Sarah’s father, who had investments here. Louis began his career with the Billings Land and Irrigation Company. He later operated the Montana Mortgage Company and invested heavily in real estate. Like other Prairie style homes, this residence features a low-hipped roof, extended eaves, a one-story porch with large square supports, and a wide central chimney. Distinguishing features include the row of second-story casement windows, distinctively patterned siding, and the unusual stair hall set at a forty-five-degree angle to the rest of the house. Louis died in 1955, and a year later Sarah sold the home to Mary Sullivan and her husband, Dr. Paul Sullivan, a surgeon who practiced at the nearby Saint Vincent Hospital.

Images

1110 North 31st Street
1110 North 31st Street 1110 North 31st Street. Front/side view of the house, facing south near front sidewalk on North 31st Street. Winter photograph. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office Creator: Unknown photographer Date: Jan. 2015
1110 North 31st Street
1110 North 31st Street 1110 North 31st Street. Front/side view of the house, facing southwest on North 31st Street. Snow on the ground and a car parked in front of the driveway. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office Creator: Karin Bryan Date: Nov. 1980

Location

1110 North 31st Street, Billings, Montana | Private

Metadata

Montana National Register Sign Program, “1110 North 31st Street,” Historic Montana, accessed March 29, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/2765.