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

933 Main Street

Forsyth Main Street Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

1. 933 Main Street Marker

Inscription. In 1882, pioneer Thomas Alexander traded a parcel of land to the Northern Pacific in exchange for other property nearby. Alexander’s farm became the town of Forsyth and Alexander became an important local merchant and real estate developer. Among his other ventures, he constructed four brick buildings on Main Street’s 900 block. In 1897, he rented this one to a hardware and saddlery shop; construction of the second floor, which features a cornice decorated with a row of short pilasters, was still underway. In 1902 Alexander sold the western commercial style building to Peter Droese, who operated a drugstore here until 1933. Droese helped found Forsyth’s telephone service in 1900 and, despite being a man, worked as its first “Hello Girl.” In the teens, Droese stuccoed the building’s exterior, which perhaps had suffered damage when the nearby American Hotel burned in 1912. In 1933, Ike Blakesley and Jack Mason converted the drugstore into “Club Cigar,” later known as Blakesley’s. Ike’s son Glen continued to operate the popular bar and lunch room into the 1980s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 15.948′ N, 106° 40.726′ W. Marker is in Forsyth, Montana, in Rosebud County. It is on Main Street near North 9th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 933 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 Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

The Building at 933 Main Street and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2020

2. The Building at 933 Main Street and Marker

this marker: Forsyth, MT (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchant Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Roxy Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Choisser Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy-Fletcher Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Forsyth Main Street Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vananda State Bank Building (about 300 feet away); Masonic Temple (about 400 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 365 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.