James C. McCalman was born in Morven, Scotland, on December 23, 1859, the son of James and Mary (McLaughlin) McCalman. As a youth James studied building construction. He emigrated to the United States in 1882, settling in Minneapolis. About four years later he moved to Montana. He built a number of brick and stone buildings in Helena before moving to Deer Lodge in 1894. He built the walls and wings of the Montana State Prison. He went to Alaska during the gold rush and remained there until 1911. When he returned he took on a new contract for work on the Prison. He also built several of the buildings at Warm Springs State Hospital and Galen State Hospital. He employed convicts on these construction jobs. He died in Deer Lodge on September 21, 1934.
From the description of James C. McCalman papers, 1892-1922. (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 610582517
