Rundle Building

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Now a hotel called Rundle Suites, the historic Rundle Building is one of the most important landmarks in Glasgow. It was built in 1916 and has anchored the city's commercial district for decades. It is also significant in the area of architecture as it is an excellent example of the Western Commercial style with some of elements of the Spanish Mission Revival style. The three-story building features decorative brickwork, terra cotta colored tile work, raised brick arches, and shaped parapets (the top edge of walls). It is named after Sydney Rundle, who was the president of the Rundle Land & Abstract Company, which built and originally occupied the building. Given its association with the economic development of Glasgow and its architecture, the Rundle Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Images

The Rundle Building has remained an important landmark in Glasgow since it was built in 1914.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

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.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow,_Montana_-_The_Rundle_Building.JPG

Additional Information

Rundle Suites