Montana’s Abandoned Governor’s Mansion Is Falling Apart

If walls could talk, the former executive residence for Montana’s governor would probably start by asking for a tetanus shot and a hard hat. What was once meant to symbolize leadership, stability, and maybe a little architectural swagger is now better known for other things. Rotted ceilings, plumbing that gave up years ago, questionable wiring, and the ever-popular bonus feature of asbestos.

The house at 2 Carson Street, just uphill from the Capitol, has been sitting empty for about five years. It was vacated in 2021 after Governor Greg Gianforte and his wife moved out less than a year into his first term, clearing the way for renovations that never happened. Instead, time and neglect took over, and the building quietly slid into a state of advanced decay.

Now the state is asking the public what to do with it. The Department of Administration recently closed a survey offering three options. Tear it down and turn the land into a park. Remodel it for a non-residential purpose. Or sell it altogether. The Capitol Complex Advisory Council is expected to review those results along with cost estimates at an upcoming meeting that has yet to be scheduled.

The 12,000 square foot mansion was built in 1959 and designed to resemble a ship, dubbed the Ship of State, pointing toward the Big Belt Mountains. It includes 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a ballroom, and plenty of space for official entertaining. These days, it is mostly hosting dust, decay, and unanswered questions.

Whether the Carson Street property becomes a park, a repurposed building, or a real estate listing remains to be seen.  What is clear is that the state can no longer ignore it. Even ships of state eventually need repairs, or they sink.