Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Losekamp Building - 1903

Historic Montana Avenue

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

1. The Losekamp Building - 1903 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

John D. Losekamp came to Billings in 1884 and established a boot and shoe store on Montana Avenue. The business grew into a gentlemen's clothing store, and he freely gave credit to cowboys and range riders from the surrounding area. The sign on his business read: "Losekamp/Famous Outfitter." He later purchased a building on the current site, but his brother-in-law and partner, J.R, Yates, put the entire inventory up for sale when Losekamp was out of town in 1903, clearing the way to construct this two-story brick building.

Erected by Downtown Billings Starts Here. (Marker Number 24.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 45° 46.853′ N, 108° 30.342′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. Marker is on Montana Avenue (Business Interstate 90) near North 29th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2817 Montana Avenue, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Losekamp Block (a few steps from this marker); The Parmly Billings Library - 1901

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(a few steps from this marker); J.K. Ralston Cabin-Studio (a few steps from this marker); An Automobile at the Cigar Store (a few steps from this marker); Frederick Billings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Clark Hotel - 1928 (within shouting distance of this marker); Billings' First Bank - 1883 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chapple Drug Store - 1893 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Billings.

More about this marker. Markers erected by Downtown Billings Starts Here are secure to streetlight poles and are only visible from the sidewalk provided they are not covered by a flower pot.

The Losekamp Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

2. The Losekamp Building and Marker

The marker is on the streetlight pole.

The Losekamp Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

3. The Losekamp Building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.