Fergus County Courthouse
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Built in 1907, Fergus County Courthouse continues to serve as the seat of county government.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Architect Newton C. Gauntt, who was based in North Yakima, Washington, designed the courthouse. Construction was delayed for six months because the original contractor, William Oliver, did not intend to use native stone but brick instead. This resulted in a public outcry and an injunction prevented the start of construction. At the time, many of the new buildings being constructed in Lewistown were built using native stone and it seems the residents wanted the courthouse to continue that trend. Gauntt devised a new, slightly smaller plans for the courthouse. Apparently, the only contractor who bid on the project was Oliver and the courthouse was, in the end, built with brick. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Sources
The Montana National Register Sign Program. “Courthouse Historic District.” Montana Historical Society - Digital Vault. Accessed July 8, 2020. http://digitalvault.mhs.mt.gov/items/show/20169.
Sievert, Ken & Cornwall, Ellen. "Lewiston Courthouse Historic District." June 27, 1985. National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_MT/85001406.pdf.
J.B. Chandler, via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lewistown_MT_Fergus_County_Courthouse.jpg