Rundle Building
Introduction
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The Rundle Building has remained an important landmark in Glasgow since it was built in 1914.
Backstory and Context
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Sidney J. Rundle had a tremendous impact on Glasgow in the early 20th century. It was his ability to continuously attract settlers to the area that significantly contributed to town's growth. It appears he already had some experience in selling land as he opened up a land office here soon after he arrived. He eventually started to advertise throughout the country. This effort worked. In the coming years he helped hundreds of settlers establish farms in northeastern Montana and the business grew. This success enabled him to establish the Rundle Land & Abstract Company in 1914, which was very successful; the capital stock rose from $25,000 in 1914 to $75,000 in 1915.
Rundle and his partners decided to erect the Rundle Building in 1915. They hired the prominent architecture firm Link & Haire, which was based in Helena, to design it. The building's unique design, with its Spanish Mission Revival elements, reflected the company's desire to show that Glasgow was a modern, growing community. The building soon became the town's main center of commercial and recreational activities. The basement featured a bowling alley, a billiards room, and a barbershop with two showers and a Turkish bath steam cabinet. Business occupied the first floor and the company occupied the second floor. The third floor was used as a forty-room hotel. In 1920, the newspaper the Glasgow Courier moved into the first floor and remained for many years.
It is unclear when Rundle's company dissolved but businesses continued to occupy the building. The hotel was also converted into apartments sometime, it seems, after 1950. The building was renovated on numerous occasions as well over the years. It is unclear when Rundle Suites opened.
Sources
The Montana National Register Sign Program. “Rundle Building.” Montana Historical Society - Digital Vault. Accessed July 28, 2020, http://digitalvault.mhs.mt.gov/items/show/21022.
Williamson, Danielr R. "Rundle Building." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 29, 2006. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/06001092_text.
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow,_Montana_-_The_Rundle_Building.JPG