Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Masonic Building
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. Masonic Building Marker
Inscription.
Masonic Building. . Members of Masonic Lodge #25 built this brick structure in 1882, housing their temple on the second floor. Grocer W. H. Burgess rented first floor space. Economic decline in the late 1880s caused the Masons to lose title, and Burgess, too, went broke. The lodge rented space until 1901, while the lower floor accommodated the Sharp Brothers' Store. The sons of the Sharp brothers became two of Fort Benton’s famous admirals. Originally one of a pair, the structure displays elaborate brick corbelling typical of the 1880s commercial architecture.
Members of Masonic Lodge #25 built this brick structure in 1882, housing their temple on the second floor. Grocer W. H. Burgess rented first floor space. Economic decline in the late 1880s caused the Masons to lose title, and Burgess, too, went broke. The lodge rented space until 1901, while the lower floor accommodated the Sharp Brothers' Store. The sons of the Sharp brothers became two of Fort Benton’s famous admirals. Originally one of a pair, the structure displays elaborate brick corbelling typical of the 1880s commercial architecture.
Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.
Location. 47° 49.036′ N, 110° 40.069′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is on Front Street near 14th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1418 Front Street, Fort Benton MT 59442, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Fire Engine House (within shouting distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
