Cooley/Home Management House

Professor Robert A. Cooley built this classic Colonial Revival style home in 1922. Distinguishing stylistic features include the classical columns supporting the porch roofs, second-story railings, and multi-paned window sashes. From 1899 until 1931, Dr. Cooley taught zoology and entomology at Montana State College (Montana State University since 1965). His research on ticks won national recognition and helped scientists at what later became the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton develop the vaccine for the deadly tickborne Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Robert and his second wife Elsie moved to Hamilton in 1931, where Dr. Cooley continued his work at Rocky Mountain Labs. The college’s Home Economics department purchased the house that year for $8,500. The department used it as a home management laboratory and a preschool, where students studied child development. Home economics majors learned to care for infants from the state orphanage, and seniors spent a semester managing the home while living dormitory style in the attic. In 1984, the University sold the house and new owners converted it back into a private residence.

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