Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site #009)

Physical Description:

A rectangular commercial building of stone that is two stories high and has a flat roof. The entry façade is cut stone and sidewalls are rubble stone that have been recently covered with multi-colored vertical rib metal paneling. A cut stone coping can be seen on the street elevation and the stone continues down to grade in the form of pilasters flanking the first floor commercial display area. Upper floor windows are wood double hung units 1/1. The lower storefront is totally remodeled with contemporary aluminum and glass elements. The traditional transom area above the storefront has been covered by wide siding, and a flat aluminum sidewalk canopy separates the transom from lower display window elements.

This building qualifies for register listing under Criteria C. It has a strong association with local stone building traditions that were occurring in Lewistown during its formative years.

Classification: Stone craftsman

Historical Significance:

The early years of the Twentieth Century saw "stone buildings of capacious size and elegant finish" being constructed in great numbers in Lewistown. Incorporated in 1899, the rapidly growing trade center began to emerge as a city of stone. This structure was the first masonry post office for the centrally located metropolis. Alfred J. Stephens was appointed the fifth postmaster for Lewistown by President McKinley on October 26, 1897. He conducted the department’s business in the newly constructed Post Office from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, except Sundays and holidays, when the Post Office was open only from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. First class postage was two cents for each ounce or fraction thereof in 1904. The new post office was the terminus for eight mail routes and was only 3200 feet from the Montana Railroad depot. The Montana Railroad provided the first train service to Lewistown in November 1903, giving an outlet to the Northern Pacific. When the Post Office moved to larger quarters around 1910, the building served proudly as offices for the Well Fargo & Co. Express and the Great Northern Express Co.

Integrity: Although some original construction has been covered over at sidewalls and storefront elements have been replaced, the basic structure is original. The building remains on its original site.