Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Murray Hotel

Livingston Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

1. Murray Hotel Marker

Inscription. Antique furniture, red oak doors, a towering lobby, and 700 square feet of marble make this historic hotel a timeless ambassador of the “real West.” Built circa 1904, the Murray began as the Elite Hotel (locally pronounced EE-light) when Livingston was a busy tourist hub. Its unassuming brick façade reflects the great age of American hostelries and their inevitable link with the railroad. In 1922, the Senator James E. Murray family of Butte financed expansion to four stories, but foreclosed on owner Josephine Kline in 1925 and renamed the hotel. The popular Murray contained the town’s only elevator (which is still in use) and its lobby was a favorite rendezvous. The demise of rail travel figures into the Murray’s decline in the 1960s. Recent owners breathed new life into its seasoned rooms and suites, where celebrity outlaws such as Sam Peckinpah and Jack Palance have hung their hats. And the likes of Robert Redford, Peter Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg—to name just a few—have patronized the Murray’s Art Deco bar.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 45° 39.7′ N, 110° 33.742′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is at the intersection of West Park Street (U.S. 89) and North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west on West Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 West Park Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First National Bank / Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Pape Building (within shouting distance of this

Murray Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

2. Murray Hotel and Marker

The marker is at the corner below the Cafe sign.

marker); Miles Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Donnelly-Van Brocklin Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Miles Garnier Block (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); I. Orschel and Bro. (about 500 feet away); Park Hotel Building (about 500 feet away); "...high rugid mountain..." (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Murray Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021

3. Murray Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.