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

All Purpose Shop

Lewistown Satellite Airfield Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

1. All Purpose Shop Marker

Inscription. During World War II, the Army Corps of Engineers built almost 1,300 airfields. These rapidly constructed facilities followed standardized plans, all of which included an All Purpose Shop. The unassuming one-story buildings served as the bases' much-needed maintenance centers. In Lewistown, as at other satellite airfields, flimsy construction material, quick assembly, and heavy use made for a busy maintenance crew. As "all purpose" as the shop that served as their headquarters, the crew built shelves, tables, and benches and fixed broken toilets and broken windows. They efficiently repaired damage to the airfield's buildings, whether caused by weather or by the hundreds of men who temporarily made their home here. As the military undoubtedly anticipated, the young, reckless airmen were not the most careful of tenants. Among other equipment, the shop housed table saws, drill presses, and hand tools for woodworking. During Lewistown's notoriously harsh winters, the crew relied on two coal-burning stoves to warm their workshop, whose single-pane windows and uninsulated lathe and tarpaper walls did little to retain the heat.

Erected by The

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Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 47° 2.875′ N, 109° 27.442′ W. Marker is near Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is at the intersection of West Aztec Drive and Stratosphere Drive, on the right when traveling west on West Aztec Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 West Azteck Drive, 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: Pre-War Hangar (within shouting distance of

All Purpose Shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019

2. All Purpose Shop and Marker

this marker); Crew Chief Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Armament Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Training Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Recreation Building (about 400 feet away); Camouflage Building (about 400 feet away); Quartermaster Warehouses (about 400 feet away); Lewiston Satellite Airfield Historic District (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewistown.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the Lewistown Satellite Airfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.