Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site # 151)

Address:	302 W. Main/308 W. Main/301 W. Broadway
Ownership Name:	Aquila Realty Company
Historic Name:	Power Mercantile Co.
Common Name:	Anthony’s Woolworth Mini Mall
Date of Construction:	1901 and 1913
Architect:	Link & Haire
Builder:
Original Owner:	Power Mercantile Co.
Original Use:	Dry Goods & Grocery Store
Present Use:	Variety Clothing

Physical Description:

A two-story cut stone commercial structure with a flat roof that occupies nearly one-half block. Although this large footprint was not built as a single undertaking, the detailing, joining, and use of materials was executed with enough care so as to make the various additions appear as a cohesive whole and the architectural description will treat it as a single building. The exception to this is a wing to the southwest, which is separately described below. The Main Street elevation is all cut sandstone on the second floor with dressed stone string courses at the roof line and above display windows. The words "PMCo –1901" are carved in dressed stone in the parapet. A sandstone coping caps the parapet. The northeast and northwest elevations are similar to Main Street except a dressed stone cornice with dentils below is incorporated at the upper string course height. A portion of the sandstone walls on Main Street has been treated at some time, producing two distinct sandstone colors. Second floor penetrations are rectangular wood double hung window of monumental size with a pattern of two lites over one. Transom areas have been replaced with newer advertising "bands"on Main Street (southeast), filled with masonite on the northwest and the original prism glass remains on the northeast (Broadway Avenue) elevation. Contemporary large pane display glazing in natural color aluminum frames has been utilized at storefronts. Some painted wood panels have been used in a "curtail wall" fashion in conjunction with the glazing at the north corner of the block. Although not original construction, the F. W. Woolworth sign may be noteworthy as a period "graphic" for that Company.

A separate two-story flat roof stone structure is attached to the Power Mercantile Block at the west corner of the building (facing on Broadway). It is different enough in architectural context to warrant separate description. The façade is cut stone and is undecorated except for the flat arches over door and window openings. The flat arches have successively pronounced (or stepped) voussoirs culminating in a wedge shaped keystone. Double hung wood windows 1/1 have projecting cut stone sills. A pair of wood entry doors is centered in the elevation. The sidewalls are rubble stone; a wooden roof-shed roof addition with cement-asbestos walls is attached to the southwest wall of this building.

All sections of this building qualify for register listing under Criteria C. It is the most visible example of Lewistown’s stone architecture along Main Street.

Historical Significance:

This property is significant because it is associated with people and events important in local and State history and illustrates events important in the development of Lewistown.

Power Mercantile Co. was established in Lewistown in 1883 after Francis Janeaux, who conducted a merchandising establishment in the small settlement, became indebted to his supplier, T.C. Power & Bros. of Fort Benton. Janeaux, who platted a portion of his homestead for the original townsite, lost his buildings, merchandise and some lots to cover the $5096 debt.

N. M. Erickson was dispatched to "Big Spring Creek" to take over the operation for the Power Bros. He "arrived on the hurricane deck of a cayuse" in July of 1883 and began work to petition for a Post Office designation for Lewistown and abandonment of Reedsfort, a nearby opposition settlement. Erickson was successful in this effort and was named Lewistown’s first Postmaster on March 10, 1884. Erickson was managing partner of Power Mercantile in Lewistown until his death in 1894.

In 1901, the well-established Power Mercantile Co. moved to their large new stone facility. The building, typical of the early permanent masonry structures in Lewistown, is hand cut coursed sandstone. The availability of good building stone encouraged many stonemasons to settle in the Lewistown area, and their skills were put to good use in building a permanent city.

By 1908, Power Mercantile, growing with the community, expanded with a stone warehouse building facing Broadway Street in the same block. In 1913, Link & Haire designed a two-story, 75’ x 100’ addition to match the main building. The addition, designed to eventually carry a four-story superstructure, gave the Mercantile the entire block on Third Avenue, closing the alley and connecting with the Broadway Street warehouse. W. D. Symmes, who became manager of Power Mercantile Co. following the death of N. M. Erickson, is a good example of the progress made by many of Lewistown’s pioneer businessmen. He began work for the firm in 1889 as driver of a delivery wagon, then became bookkeeper, and was named manager in 1894. He acquired an interest and eventually became sole owner. He was very active in the development of Lewistown and Central Montana and served as Mayor from December 5, 1904 to May 1, 1905 and again from May 4, 1913 to May 7, 1917.