Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

National Bank Building

This Property Contributes to Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. National Bank Building Marker

Inscription. The December 1910 issue of Moody’s Magazine: The International Investors’ Monthly predicted a strong future for Deer Lodge’s new U.S. National Bank. The community only had one other bank, and the local economic forecast was bright, especially since the Milwaukee Railroad had recently situated its repair shops in Deer Lodge. With $50,000 in capital and a brand new building, the bank confidently opened for business on December 7, 1910, offering “a complimentary remembrance to … lady callers.” “A first class barber shop with modern bath rooms” occupied the daylight basement, while the bank took up the first floor. Butte architect Herman Kemna designed the brick and concrete building, which was constructed at a cost of approximately $12,000 and featured Greek Revival elements. Massive pilasters and a gabled pediment accent the cutaway corner entrance. A dropped wooden cornice wraps around the roofline on two sides. Asserting stability and permanence, the solid construction and dignified façade assured customers that their money was safe from both theft and bank failure—a tenuous assumption in the days before federal deposit

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insurance.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1910.

Location. 46° 23.887′ N, 112° 44.137′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (Business Interstate 90) and Milwaukee Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Main Street, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

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

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of this marker: Rialto Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Mitchell Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Safeway (within shouting distance of this marker); Deer Lodge Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Larabie Brothers Bank (about 300 feet away); Thompson Photo Shop (about 300 feet away); U.S. Post Office (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 19 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.