Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
First National Bank ⎯⎯⎯ Masonic Temple
Livingston Commercial Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
1. First National Bank / Masonic Temple Marker
Inscription.
First National Bank, also, Masonic Temple. Livingston Commercial Historic District. The solid massing of this building follows a long Masonic tradition of erecting lodges whose size and bulk symbolize the permanency and stability of Masonry itself. Seemingly a colossal white stucco box, the building is actually comprised of three earlier structures: The First National Bank and the Fogarty Block (both built by real estate speculators in 1884) and a substantial rear addition constructed by the Masons in 1903. A 1954 renovation tied all three structures together by infilling windows and stuccoing the main faηades, giving the edifice a striking, mid-century Modern appearance. On North Second Street, a large decorative panel reflects Masonic symbolism and rituals with its etched scenes of Egyptian builders, architectural elements, and hieroglyphs. Livingston Lodge #32, which organized in 1883 and was chartered in 1885, has met in the bank building since 1890. Since the 1903 expansion, which added a banquet room and two-hundred-seat meeting room, other organizations also met here, including the Elks, Eagles, Odd Fellows, and many trade unions. Businesses renting first-floor commercial space included Tolhurst Taxidermy, Taxidermist for the tourist, and Western Union.
The solid massing of this building follows a long Masonic tradition of erecting lodges whose size and bulk symbolize the permanency and stability of Masonry itself. Seemingly a colossal white stucco box, the building is actually comprised of three earlier structures: The First National Bank and the Fogarty Block (both built by real estate speculators in 1884) and a substantial rear addition constructed by the Masons in 1903. A 1954 renovation tied all three structures together by infilling windows and stuccoing the main faηades, giving the edifice a striking, mid-century Modern appearance. On North Second Street, a large decorative panel reflects Masonic symbolism and rituals with its etched scenes of Egyptian builders, architectural elements, and hieroglyphs. Livingston Lodge #32, which organized in 1883 and was chartered in 1885, has met in the bank building since 1890. Since the 1903 expansion, which added a banquet room and two-hundred-seat meeting room, other organizations also met here, including the Elks, Eagles, Odd Fellows, and many trade unions. Businesses renting first-floor commercial space included Tolhurst
Click or scan to see this page online
TaxidermyTaxidermist for the touristand Western Union.
Location. 45° 39.71′ N, 110° 33.726′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is at the intersection of West Park Street (Business Interstate 90) and North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west on West Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 West Park Street, Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country and in Greater Bozeman. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 24, 2021
2. and First National Bank / Masonic Temple Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
