Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

US Land Office
⎯⎯⎯
Warr Building

Lewistown Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

1. US Land Office/Warr Building Marker

Inscription. A man of vision and foresight, Austin W. Warr contributed to the financial development of early Lewistown. Warr established many of Lewistown’s founding companies, became a key figure in the development of Central Montana, and helped ensure the financial growth of Lewistown. This 1904 richly decorated building originally housed the United States Land Office. The second in a pair of office buildings designed by Helena architect John Kent for A. W. Warr, the U.S. Land Office building features a Beaux Arts style façade containing elaborate terra- cotta ornamentation. The dressed stone and flamboyant flattened arches accentuate the building’s exterior in a visual sign of Lewistown’s growth and development. Many different businesses called the Warr Building home, including the Lewistown State Bank from 1912 to 1913 and the Big Bear Saloon from 1916 to 1918. The Central Meat Market and The Lewistown Meat Company operated out of the building for nearly two decades. The Victory Barber Shop opened in 1941.

Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 47° 3.954′ N, 109° 25.527′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is on West Main Street near 2nd Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 West Main Street, Lewistown MT 59457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Warr Building (here, next to this marker); The Hub (a few steps from this marker); Mackey Building (Montana Tavern) (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Fergus County (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Building

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

2. US Land Office/Warr Building Marker

The marker is below the barber pole.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Power Mercantile Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Wiedeman Apartments (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hopkins Grocery (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewistown.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

US Land Office⎯⎯⎯Warr Building

Lewistown Central Business Historic District

US Land Office
⎯⎯⎯
Warr Building