Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site # 040)

Physical Description:

This structure has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A massive 2 ½ story above grade brick structure with hipped roof. In plan the structure is rectangular with a central light well. A former high school dormitory, the building is currently used as a hotel. Wall surfaces are all brick except for painted stucco infill panels between windows on the second floor. The brick is common bond and includes double rowlock stringcourses below the windows on both floors, segmental arch heads over first floor and basement windows, and stacked bond window jambs adjacent to the stucco panels on the top floor. The composition shingle roofing is edged with a large coved trim above three piece fascia; the soffit is T&G bead jointed board, and there is a wood wall cap trim at the top of the brick wall. Windows at the upper two floors are wood double hung 6/6. The front entry is projected and the wall above the entry is slightly recessed, thus creating a balcony that is further accented by window boxes of flowers sitting on the dressed stone balcony railing. The projected entry expresses a dual opening reflective of the original use of the structure. The two openings are spanned by segmental arches; recessed brick panels are expressed in the wall surface above and highlighted by dressed stone accents. Brick pacing and steps complete the masonry treatment at the entry. Brick chimneys can be seen on the back (southwest) side of the building.

The dormitory was sold to Mrs. Emma Marsh in 1928, who with the help of her husband, George, adapted the facility for use as a hotel and named it the Calvert. In addition to hotel and dining services, the Calvert continued to serve many rural students, as it had done in dormitory days, allowing them to work for their keep while attending high school.

Historical Significance:

The Calvert Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is associated with events that illustrate patterns of development in Central Montana.

The Calvert is remembered by many as the Fergus County Improvement Corporation Dormitory, where students who resided in remote rural areas of Fergus County could board and thus take advantage of the centralized high school system. By working off their keep, or for a small fee by those who could afford it, students who could not make the trip on a daily basis were able to stay in Lewistown and take advantage of free county high school education.

Lewistown, the County Seat of Fergus County, grew rapidly following the Enlarged Homestead Acts of 1909 and 1912. The lure of land drew thousands of homesteaders to the dry land acres of the Judith Basin. It was a period of great prosperity and growth for Lewistown, which served as the commercial center for the influx of homesteaders swarming in to Central Montana.

Following attempts by county management to raise funds for a dormitory through bonding, it was decided to proceed using a private corporation. The Fergus County Improvement Corporation was formed September 8, 1916, for the purpose of raising capital for the needed facility. Officers were B. E. Stack, Sam Phillips, J. E. Woodard, Fred Warren, and N. M. Walker.

The homestead exodus began around 1920, prompted by drought, grasshopper infestation and the fact that even 320 acres were not enough to sustain the homesteader.

By 1925, the breakdown of Central Montana agriculture resulted in bank failures and the loss of funds and tax monies. Fergus County High School was among those who lost funds and the dormitory had to be closed.

Integrity: Original construction with the exception of the roofing material; refer also to nomination forms for the National Register Listing.