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

McDonald and Charters Block

Lewistown Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

1. McDonald and Charters Block Marker

Inscription. The beautiful blending of brick and handcut stone in this 1905 business block serves as a fine example of Lewistown’s distinctive architecture. Romanesque Revival arches, Renaissance Revival wall layering, and an Italianate cornice speak to the exuberant eclecticism of the period. Built by local contractor George Wells for Charles McDonald and John Charters, the building originally housed a land office and the Lewistown Bakery whose specialty was “Mother’s Bread.” The Knights of Pythias met in the second-floor lodge hall. Now an integral part of a three-building unit, the narrow cut stone first-floor entry hall and upper-floor façade retain their 1905 appearances.

Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 47° 3.843′ N, 109° 25.699′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County.

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It is on West Main Street (U.S. 87) near 5th Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 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: 521 West Main (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillips Drug Company (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Attix Clinic (about 500 feet away); Bon-Ton (about 600 feet away); Warr-Lane Building (about 600 feet away); Power Mercantile Building (about 700 feet away); Courthouse Historic District (about 700 feet away); Montana Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewistown.

McDonald and Charters Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

2. McDonald and Charters Block and Marker

McDonald and Charters Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

3. McDonald and Charters Block

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

4. McDonald and Charters Block

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 235 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 11, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.