Standing prominently along Main Street, the Fergus County Courthouse has served as the seat of county government since its construction in 1908. It is the centerpiece of the Lewistown Courthouse Historic district, which includes 21 buildings in the surrounding neighborhood. The courthouse is three stories tall and features curvilinear gables, a geometric dome with four clocks supported by an octagonal structure with arched windows, a light and dark-brick facade, and two large Ionic columns at the main entrance. The courthouse was built in response to the growing population in Lewistown in the early 20th century.
The Lewistown Public Library—originally known as the Lewistown Carnegie Library—is one of several historic buildings in the city constructed by Croatian immigrant stone masons using locally sourced sandstone. After three years of construction, it finally opened in 1908. It consists of the original 1908 portion and modern additions that extend towards Main and 7th Streets and serve as the library's lower level. The original part is 1.5 stories tall and features a rough sandstone facade, a main entrance with four sandstone columns and arched entryway, and a wreath and medallion motif below the eaves that surrounds the building. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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First Presbyterian Church was built in 1912 and is an excellent example of a religious building with Gothic Revival influences. It is one of many buildings in Lewistown constructed with native sandstone. Additionally, like those those buildings, the church is also significant in that it was built by Croatian stonemasons. In terms of design, the church features typical Gothic elements such as arched stained glass windows, a crenelated bell tower, and butresses. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Situated at the corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue, the Montana Building is the centerpiece of the Lewistown Central Business Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The six-story-tall building was built c.1916 and designed in the Neoclassical and Renaissance Revival styles. Notable features include its white terra cotta exterior, an elaborate cornice (the top edge of a wall), and three-story pilasters (decorative elements that look like columns) topped with Corinthian capitals. It represents the growth, prosperity, and optimism Lewistown was experiencing in the early 1900s. Today, the First Bank of Montana and a cafe occupy the building, which remains an important landmark in Lewistown.
Also known as Armory Hall, the Knerr-Tubb Block building is historically significant for its striking architecture that combines the Classical Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Renaissance Revival architectural styles. Built in 1909, the building was also home to a popular dance hall for a number of years beginning in 1914. The structure is a contributing property of the Lewistown Central Business Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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St. Leo's Catholic Church is one of Lewistown's most striking landmarks. It was erected in 1916 and designed by well-known Montana architects J.G. Link and Charles Haire, who designed many other buildings throughout the state. The church is a beautiful example of the Italian Early Christian style with Romanesque elements included. It's most notable feature is the square bell tower, which reaches a height of 95 feet and has arched openings on each side. The church also features rose and arched windows with stained glass, decorative brickwork and terra cotta highlighting, blind arcading (a set of arches that doesn't against a wall), and exterior buttressing. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Built in 1931, the U.S. Post Office & Federal Building was Lewistown's first post office erected by the federal government. It was also the only major building erected in city during the 1930s. In terms of architecture, it is an excellent example of the Beaux-Arts style, featuring a red brick and white terra cotta facade, and an impressive Neoclassical main entrance with a triangular pediment supported by fluted pilasters (columns) topped with Ionic capitals. Building the post office was a significant achievement for the city in the midst of the Great Depression.
Lewiston's historic Masonic Temple building was completed in 1908 and is significant for both its architecture, its association with the local masonic lodge and the community, and the Croatian immigrant craftsman who built the structure. The lodge was designed by Otto F. Wasmandorff and George D. Eastman in the Classical Revival and Romanesque styles. The three-story-tall building features a rough sandstone exterior, arched windows on the third floor, an entryway with a free-standing arch supported by columns topped with Corinthian capitals, and two-story-tall pilasters (decorative features that look like columns) topped with Ionic capitals. Croatian stonemasons constructed the building with locally sourced sandstone. It appears that the lodge, which is named Friendship Lodge #37, has met here continuously since 1908.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walk through downtown Lewistown begins at the Fergus County Courthouse and includes landmark buildings such as the city's Carnegie Library, Montana Building, Masonic Temple, and some of the city's historic downtown churches.
