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

Warr Building

Lewistown Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

1. Warr Building Marker

Inscription. Austin W. Warr employed renowned architect John H. Kent—one of the architects for the Montana Capitol Building—to design the Warr Building. Warr organized the Lewistown Telephone Company in 1899. Upon completion of this new office building in 1904, Warr relocated the Telephone Company here. The Lewistown Telephone Company remained in this structure until 1912, when Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph purchased the local telephone companies. The Fergus County Argus then operated out of this facility for several years. In 1941, the Lewistown Pharmacy opened its doors to the public and continues to serve Lewistown from this location. The second floor served as a rooming house beginning in 1918. A cast-iron column separates the residential entry from the storefront. Lewistown became known as the City of Stone due to its reliance on stone as the primary building material. The façade features alternate cut and dressed stone and flamboyant arches, exemplifying the craftsmanship of stone masonry prevalent in buildings erected in Lewistown during the early twentieth century.

Erected by The Montana National Register

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Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 47° 3.958′ N, 109° 25.526′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is on West Main Street (U.S. 87) near 2nd Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 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: US Land Office / Warr Building (here, next to this

Warr Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

2. Warr Building and Marker

The marker is on the right, level with the windshield of the white SUV.

marker); The Hub (a few steps from this marker); Mackey Building (Montana Tavern) (a few steps from this marker); Bank of Fergus County (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Power Mercantile Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wiedeman Apartments (about 300 feet away); 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 270 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.