Hardin in Big Horn County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

412 North Custer

Hardin Residential Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021

1. 412 North Custer Marker

Inscription. Building contractor Ernest Adler constructed these attached, flat roofed storefronts between 1914 and 1920. A German immigrant, Adler was one of Hardin’s most prolific builders. Situated on the edge of the business district, the one-story brick business block housed a plumbing supply store in the north storefront and a sheet metal warehouse and paint and wallpaper store in the south. A car garage, gas station, and electrical supply house later occupied the building’s southern portion, as did the Hardin Creamery from 1932 to 1950. The building remained a creamery, manufacturing butter and ice cream until 1960, when Bud and Doris Novark opened Bud’s Freezer and Locker Service. Several rear additions (including concrete block apartments) expanded the structure, and the front façade was remodeled in 1984. Nevertheless, elements from the historic period remain. The use of glass block for the transom suggests that Hardin in the 1910s was an up-to-date and forward-looking community. A material originally developed in the early 1900s, glass block was first used in manufacturing plants to brighten up the interior with natural light

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while providing durability and insulation.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 45° 43.976′ N, 107° 36.456′ W. Marker is in Hardin, Montana, in Big Horn County. It is on North Custer Avenue near Fifth Street West when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 412 North Custer Avenue10, Hardin MT 59034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically he Crow Nation,

in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country. 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 Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana

412 North Custer Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021

2. 412 North Custer Building and Marker

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Big Horn County Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Big Horn County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); T.E. Gay Building (about 600 feet away); Hardin Commercial Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schneider Harness and Confectionary (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Reid's Pool Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Becker (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hardin.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.