Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site #130)

Physical Description:

This commercial building is a two story high mass with common bond face brick on the street façade, rubble sandstone sidewalls, and rubble stone covered with stucco on the back (northwest) elevation. The second story has an exaggerated story height resulting in a large expanse of brick between the top of the cornice or parapet at the flat roof above. The main street façade is crowned with a massive sheet metal entablature; the center one-third of the cornice culminates into a large rectangular pediment; the center of the pediment features a rectangular table (or sub-pediment) that projects above the surrounding pediment and is decorated by a teardrop shaped finial. The words "Knerr and Tubb" and the date "1909" are stamped in the pediment. The entablature below has a simple strong projected cornice resting on modillions with an undecorated frieze and architrave below. The sheet metal decorative motif occurs again in a stringcourse stamped with egg and dart relief before the second floor windows. The second floor windows accent the expansive masonry wall with round arched heads and a rhythmic pattern of appearing "paired" occurs because of the manipulation of jamb width between adjacent elements. The arched heads of the windows are light colored brick with a corbel brick archivolt at the extrados of the arch and the arches impost at the spring line into a belt course. Applied ceramic tile, aluminum framed contemporary large pane display glazing, and a remodeled common bond brick panels and windowsills make up the materials used on the first floor storefront. A projected aluminum sidewalk canopy occurs above the heads of the first floor windows and separates storefront elements from the rest of the façade.

This structure qualifies for register listing under Criteria C. The location and prominence as a masonry architectural statement make this structure significant.

Classification: influences from Romanesque Revival, Classic Revival and Tuscan Mode Renaissance Revival can be seen.

Historical Significance:

A significant building in Lewistown’s commercial district, the Knerr-Tubb Block is a good example of the preferred construction and design of the period on Main Street.

The stone masonry building tradition that characterized the early structures of Lewistown had begun to pass as early as 1909, (except for foundations and additions to extant structures). Uncoursed, rubblestone buildings with brick facades are seen taking the place of the hand-cut and shaped stones of such buildings as the Masonic Temple, Carnegie Library and Diamond Block (all pre-1909).

The Knerr-Tubb Block is remembered by many as the Armory Hall, where for many years, Central Montana residents "tripped the light fantastic" at charity and dress balls, regular weekly dances and dance classes.

Prof. Oswald, straight from Seattle, in 1914, was teaching the latest dances, including the Hesitation Waltz and the Tango, in the popular hall.

Downstairs, L. S. Butler and Charles Woodworth, in The Montana Buffet, offered food and libation, including Lewistown Draught Beer, at 116 W. Main. Spring and Eldred provided pool, billiards, and "other amusements" at 114 W. Main.

Integrity:

Intact above first floor; remodeled below first floor. The building is on its original site and strongly contributes to the character of Main Street. Along with the IOOF/KP building across the street it serves t define the east end of the masonry character of "Main Street".