The murder trial and subsequent hanging of outlaw George Ives in 1863 won the courageous young prosecutor, Wilbur Fisk Sanders, an indelible place in Montana history. Sanders went on to play a key role in the creation of Montana Territory and served in the first Territorial Legislature. Acclaimed for his fiery speeches and passionate dedication to Montana's welfare, Sanders later gained national prominence as one of the state's first two senators (1890-1893). The Sanders family moved into this Carpenter Gothic style cottage in 1867. It must have been an oasis of refinement at a time when precious amenities like window glass were shipped by steamboat and freight wagon to the remote frontier. Indeed, Mrs. Sanders was said to have spread her fine carpets over dirt until the wood flooring could be laid. The interior has been lovingly maintained by its few owners and features original hand-grained woodwork, wood floors, window latches with porcelain insets and other cast hardware. This landmark home, reputedly Montana's oldest constantly inhabited residence, appears today almost as it did in the 1860s.

Erected by

Montana Historical Society.