Forsyth in Rosebud County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Choisser Block

Forsyth Main Street Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

1. Choisser Block Marker

Inscription. Sunrays filtering through a window apparently ignited straw packing in the basement of the J. E. Choisser Wholesale Liquor Company in July 1917. Bottles of liquor burst in the flames, fueling a fire that ultimately gutted the two-story building. Self-made entrepreneur Joseph Choisser built the original business block in 1908 for approximately $30,000. The post office shared one of the storefronts with a newsstand from 1910 to 1968. A women’s clothing store was also a long-term tenant. The manager of the Alexander Hotel, Choisser used the second floor as a hotel annex. A pedestrian overpass connected the two buildings. After the fire, Choisser hired Billings architect Curtis Oehme to renovate and add a third story to the property. The original 1908 pediment, inscribed “J. E. Choisser,” tops the three-story building, one of only two in Forsyth. Oehme’s design included a central, open light well to draw sunlight and fresh air into each hotel guestroom. Today, the building—remodeled again in the 1980s—remains a hotel frequented primarily by railroad crews laying over in Forsyth.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1917.

Location. 46° 15.968′ N, 106° 40.773′ W. Marker is in Forsyth, Montana, in Rosebud County. It is on North 9th Avenue near Cedar Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 167 North 9th Avenue, Forsyth MT 59327, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Nation,

in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country and in the Powder River Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

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

Choisser Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

2. Choisser Block and Marker

of this marker: Kennedy-Fletcher Block (a few steps from this marker); Forsyth, MT (within shouting distance of this marker); 933 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchant Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roxy Theatre (about 400 feet away); Commercial Hotel (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Forsyth, MT (about 400 feet away); Forsyth Main Street Historic District (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forsyth.

Choisser Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

3. Choisser Block

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 373 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.