Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory (Site #174)

Physical Description:

A former bank, this two story flat roof brick structure occupies a corner lot in the central business district. It is essentially a common bond brick building. Terra cotta is limited to decorative appointments and architraves around entry doors and monumental windows on the banking floor. The brick section of parapet hints at a pediment on the front with sloped coping. Heavily proportioned sheet metal cornice with dentils extends across the façade and turns the corner below the parapet. Strongly stated common bond brick pilasters of a colossal order occur on the corners of the building and extend through the cornice to the parapet. A lighter (tan) brick in a recessed panel motif forms the frieze. Upper floor windows are monumental in size and have terra cotta head trim; the pilasters have a linear terra cotta capital at this same elevation. The architrave around the entrance is terra cotta with story height terra cotta pilasters flanking the door; a wide terra cotta belt course caps the top of the pilasters. The belt course is composed of a recessed course highlighted by rondelles and a corbeled drip course enriched with a bead and chain pattern. Upper floor windows are wood; lower floor windows have been filled with glass block. The back of the building is rubble stone.

This structure qualifies for register listing under Criteria C. It is evident that this building was intended to state a prominence with its location on a corner of upper Main and the monumental scale of some architectural design elements. It is a significant masonry mass and although proportions may not be as sensitive as neighboring structure, it nonetheless makes a very strong statement and minimal impacts to the structure are reversible.

Classification: mixed; Classical influence or Classical element of Renaissance revival can be seen along with commercial style treatments.

Historical Significance:

This property is significant because it illustrates development in Lewistown and is associated with persons important in local history.

The Lewistown State Bank first opened for business in November of 1910. Officers of the State Bank were: A. W. Stoddard, President; C. E. McKoin, Vice President, C. E. Copeland, cashier; and P. P. Halpin, teller. Directors included John Brooks, V. F. Dusek and Edward McDonnell. These men were "long identified with the larger business interests of Lewistown and all of them are recognized as people of prudence, progress and sound judgement in all things pertaining to the best welfare of the community".

Henry Hall Johnson & Co., of Great Falls designed the State Bank, built in 1913. The Lewistown brick and terra cotta structure is typical, in design and materials, of architecture of the period.

1913, a year of "unprecedented growth" in Lewistown saw 100 residences and at least 12 large commercial buildings added to the growing community. The State Bank building is a visible sign of the prosperity and growth of Lewistown in 1913.

Integrity: Original construction except for filled-in first floor windows and a filled-in center upper floor window. This building occupies its original site. This building strongly contributes to the historic feeling of downtown. It is constructed of Lewistown brick.