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

Abraham and Mary Walton Hogeland House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

1. Abraham and Mary Walton Hogeland House Marker

Inscription. In the 1870s, ranchers and prospectors looking for gold in the Judith Mountains clamored for military protection as they settled a region recently controlled by the Blackfeet. In response, the federal government constructed Fort Maginnis in 1880. Garrisoned by three cavalry and three infantry companies in 1882, the fort was home to five hundred men and ten women. Meanwhile, more Euro-Americans settled in the region, including Abraham Hogeland, who first traveled west as a surveyor for the Northern Pacific Railroad. According to his great- granddaughter, the author Mary Clearman Blew, Abraham loved the Judith Basin: "having seen no better country between Pennsylvania and Montana, (he) decided to make it his." Hogeland established a ranch on Spring Creek; his wife Mary and their oldest child joined him from Pennsylvania two years later. In 1895, the Hogelands purchased two officers' quarters from the recently closed Fort Maginnis. He had the buildings dismantled and moved twenty miles to Lewistown. This gable-front-and-wing residence was the larger of the two, reassembled as closely as possible to the original design. The

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Hogelands used it for a "city house," occupying the residence during the school year, so their children could receive an education. As time passed, Abraham and Mary, while still continuing to ranch, spent more time here. Abraham became increasingly involved in the Lewistown community, serving as superintendent of schools and justice of the peace as well as county surveyor. As of 2007, family members still own and maintain the property.

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: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 47° 3.9′ N, 109° 25.999′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is on West Montana Street near 7th Avenue North, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 West Montana Street, Lewistown MT 59457, United States of America.

Abraham and Mary Walton Hogeland House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

2. Abraham and Mary Walton Hogeland House and Marker

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: Thompson-Lewis House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lehman Bunkhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouse Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Attix Clinic (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. ¼ mile away); 521 West Main (approx. ¼ mile away); McDonald and Charters Block (approx. ¼ mile away); Silk Stocking Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles 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 13, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.