This building was constructed in 1909, when the property was owned by
Hugh Forbis (1901). Subsequent owners included Hazel Forbis (1916),
Forbis Estate (1925), and C. L. and Josephine Forbis (1928). The
Masonic Temple Association purchased the property in 1954.
Hugh T. Forbis was born in Butte, Montana, in 1886 and graduated from the University of Montana in 1911. He organized the Forbis-Toole Company, with Forbis as president, J. H. Toole as vice-president, and A. E. Drew as secretary-president. It was primarily an investment company that handled farm loans, mortgages, and irrigation bonds.
The building was designed by Link and Haire, Montana's most prolific
early twentieth century architectural firm. When constructed, the
building was the Masonic Lodge, and had lodge rooms on the third
floor and club rooms and billiard rooms on the second and ground floors. The back portion of the building is also shown having four floors. Commercial businesses, offices, and even a commercial business college have historically occupied this building. Montana Power Company occupied the building, beginning in the 1920s. The lower portion of the facade was remodeled in 1959.
From the National Register