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

Commercial Hotel

Forsyth Main Street Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

1. Commercial Hotel Marker

Inscription. Decorative brickwork marks this impressive hotel designed by Montana architects Link and Haire. A vivid diamond pattern of light and dark brick provides a decorative band below the cornice, while raised brickwork divides the building vertically. A smooth belt line separates the street façade from the upper levels. In this, it mirrors traditional Renaissance Revival design, which organized large buildings into horizontal layers, with each floor becoming increasingly more refined. Rusticated stone was often used to make the first floor seem rougher than the upper levels, an effect simulated here through brickwork. Owned by pioneer entrepreneur Hiram Marcyes, the hotel was built in stages from 1903 to 1906. Marcyes, who owned a brickyard south of town, had earlier built Forsyth’s first brick business block as well as several other properties. A 1905 newspaper article gave Marcyes “credit for constructing not only the most [buildings], but the largest building in the city”—the new Commercial Hotel. The hotel, it said, was “the result of much personal effort,” Marcyes “having been carpenter,

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mason, and painter . . . at different times.”

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 15.91′ N, 106° 40.811′ W. Marker is in Forsyth, Montana, in Rosebud County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and North 8th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 807 Main Street, 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

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

2. Commercial Hotel Marker

The marker is to the left of the hotel entrance, in front of the white car.

Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Forsyth, MT (a few steps from this marker); Kennedy-Fletcher Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Forsyth, MT (about 300 feet away); Choisser Block (about 400 feet away); 933 Main Street (about 400 feet away); Merchant Bank (about 500 feet away); Roxy Theatre (about 600 feet away); Forsyth Main Street Historic District (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forsyth.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.