Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site #154)

Physical Description:

This downtown commercial structure exhibits a narrow, three story, richly decorated façade with elaborate use of terra cotta and two color common bond brick. The building has a flat roof. The street elevation is crowned with an ornate entablature that "skylines" terra cotta Grecian urns at each end, with a rectangular pediment at the center. A cartouche adorns the pediment and is supported by terra cotta volutes to either side. The cornice of the entablature below is flush except for eight antefixa (lions heads) attached. Four wreathed and enlarged consoles visually support the cornice (two on each side in pairs) with a terra cotta egg and dart bed molding between. The frieze between the consoles includes two rondelles with multiple "glyph" (vertical lines) between and the date "19-13" displayed at the ends. The architrave of the entablature is simple, linear, and understated. Each side of the building is decorated by a brick pilaster with reverse or regressed quoining of lighter brick. The second and third floor windows are grouped in a narrow-wide-narrow bay fenestration and are treated as a grouping with brick quoining of each side of the entire two-story high, three-bay module. Pilasters between the windows are created by engaged terra cotta Corinthian columns. The columns have numerous annulations; a light "cabling" spirals around these columns in the spandrel area between floors. Each of the engaged columns visually rests on a large terra cotta console. The windows are double hung wood windows with leaded glass transoms above. The transom area of the first floor (above the sidewalk canopy) is framed with a terra cotta architrave. Four lion head antefixa adorn the head of the architrave and canopy suspension rods egress from the lions’ mouths. The transom area has been filled with contemporary materials and all first floor street level materials have been changed. Currently, the first floor has a natural color aluminum entry door, "box-like" display windows with recessed sill, and ashlar stone finish over end pilasters and at the display windowsills. The back of the building is brick.

This building qualifies for register listing under Criteria C. An absolutely delightful façade; architectural style, material associations, and contributions to the character of Main Street all qualify this building for nomination.

Classification: Beaux-Arts Revival

Historical Significance:

The Warr-Lane Building is associated with persons and events significant n the development of Lewistown. It stands as a visible sign of the prosperity and stability of the town in 1913.

At the turn of the century, men worked to turn the village of Lewistown into a permanent "city of stone". The railroads came and with them, an increasing number of land seekers. Lewistown’s population rose from 1906 in 1900 to 5892 in 1914. Many of the successful pioneer entrepreneurs reinvested their gains in the community, forming corporations dedicated to the building up of the thriving metropolis. The Lewistown Commercial Company was such a corporation. They also joined with the Montana Hardware Co. in 1916 to build the stately Montana Building.

Link & Haire were the architects for the Warr-Lane Building, which is a showpiece in the 300 block of Main Street. They also designed the Judith Theatre in 1914 and the Montana Building in 1916, indications of the preferred construction methods and materials of the period. The three structures are the most ornate in the central business district.

The Plymouth, an exclusive womens store with Julius E. Cull proprietor, located in the street level retail space. Theo. J. Brice, physician, maintained his offices on the second floor while the third floor space was given to two apartments.

Integrity:

The original construction is totally intact except for first floor street elevation surface materials. The interior of this building was viewed during the survey; period oak woodwork in excellent condition remains at upper floors. The structure occupies the original site and architecturally contributes a great deal to the commercial district. The use of terra cotta is notable on this building.