Filed Under Billings

Connelly House

North Elevation Historic District

Kenneth A. and Marise H. Connelly bought this house in 1922 when it was new. The home’s design suggests that it came from a pattern book, a catalog of mass-produced architectural plans widely available at lumber yards or through a building contractor. The first-floor clapboard siding, second-floor shingles, and overhanging eaves represent Craftsman style hallmarks, while the interior layout reflects the American Foursquare floorplan. Kenneth and Marise met in France during World War I. Kenneth was a second lieutenant and Marise was a secretary in the Quartermaster Corps, the U.S. Army's logistics branch. After the war, they married in New York City and settled in Billings where Kenneth sold home appliances and farm implements for his family’s business, F. B. Connelly Co. Marise stayed home to raise three children and helped design the company’s new General Electric appliance “salon” in 1929. The Connellys sold the home to newlyweds Reverend Paul and Milda Freiburger in 1930. Paul was pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church and Milda was the church secretary for more than forty years. They raised three children in the home before selling it in 1937.

Images

Connelly House
Connelly House Front view of façade Source: Google Street View Date: August 2021
Freiburger Wedding
Freiburger Wedding Newspaper clipping Creator: The Billings Gazette Date: July 20, 1930

Location

1011 North 31st Street, Billings, MT | private

Metadata

“Connelly House: North Elevation Historic District,” Historic Montana, accessed November 2, 2026, https://historicmt.org/items/show/3596.