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

Phillips Drug Company

Lewistown Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

1. Phillips Drug Company Marker

Inscription. One of four remaining pre-1900 masonry structures in the 300 block of Main, this structure at 322 and 324 West Main Street originally housed a restaurant and drug store. “Prescriptions our Specialty” proclaimed an early advertisement for the Phillips Drug Company, which proprietor Horace G. Phillips began operating out of this facility in 1910. Phillips Drug Company served as Lewistown’s leading drug store until around 1920. Throughout the years many different drug stores and pharmacies have occupied this space. The Alta News Depot opened at 322 West Main in 1914 and continued to serve Lewistown for the next decade. Various other businesses occupied the area adjacent to the drug store, including a bookstore, a confectionery, and offices. This one-story commercial building retains much of its original façade, including the decorative brickwork above the awning. Light brick, arranged in a “sawhorse” pattern, adorns the parapet area. Three diamonds accentuate each “sawhorse” giving the structure an unusual and eye-catching appearance.

Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department

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of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.

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

Location. 47° 3.897′ N, 109° 25.616′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 87) and 4th Avenue North, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 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

Phillips Drug Company and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Google Maps

2. Phillips Drug Company and Marker

The marker is between the entrances.

marker: Bon-Ton (within shouting distance of this marker); Warr-Lane Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Power Mercantile Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bank of Fergus County (about 400 feet away); McDonald and Charters Block (about 500 feet away); US Land Office / Warr Building (about 500 feet away); The Hub (about 500 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 11, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Mid-distance view of the marker and Phillips Drugh Company building. • Can you help?