When built in 1914 the building housed the post office, in spite of objections from the populace who thought the post office would be better situated in the Masonic Hall. Prolific Lewistown architects
Wasmansdorff & Eastman drew the plans for the building which, given that it was to house the post office, was built under government supervision. Historically known as the Fergus County Realty Building, this structure was the first masonry post office in Lewistown, the first built in 1903 about four blocks away. Construction, if actually begun in 1914, must have progressed quickly, as the post office was to move into their new quarters on June 28 of that year.
It was Page 1 of the June 25, 1914 issue of the Fergus County Democrat which let the citizens of Lewistown know of the impending move. Their article of that date follows.
POST OFFICE TO MOVE JUNE 28
Fergus County Democrat | June 25, 1914
APPLICATIONS FOR BOXES ARE NOW BEING RECEIVED BY THE POSTMASTER
RETAINING THEIR OLD NUMBERS
Most Patrons Are Anxious to Do This - Delay May Mean Disappointment-New Office is to Be Kept Open All Night-Fixtures Are Installed
A large sign is how displayed in the post office notifying the public that the institution will move into its new quarters in the Fergus County Realty company’s building on June 28. Applications for boxes are now being received and a lot of them have come in. The box holders, in most instances, wish to retain the same number as held by them in old office and when they are not too late they are accommodated.
Fixtures installed
The new building is near completion throughout and in the portion assigned to the post office the work is, of course, far advanced. About all of the fixtures have been installed. The lobby provided for the new office is about as roomy as in the old, although there is less space between the partition for the boxes and the wall. The woodwork is mahogany and every thing in the Office is new. The boxes are larger than those now in use and all except the drawers have combination locks, no keys being used.
From the top of the woodwork of the box partition steel screens extend to the ceiling and the windows in the rear are protected by steel bars.
From the Fergus County Democrat
521 WEST MAIN
In March of 1914, four hundred local business owners protested locating Lewistown’s new post office on this site, claiming that the call for bids was not properly advertised. Most favored housing the post office in the Masonic Temple building. Nevertheless, the Fergus County Realty Company, one of the two bidders, won the five-year lease. Lewistown architects Wasmansdorff and Eastman drew the plans and construction commenced immediately under federal supervision. Uncle Sam occupied part of the storefront while businessman A. H. Smurr and attorney W. R. Kirk leased the remaining space. Smurr and Kirk’s enterprise included a confectionery/ice cream parlor, a factory for the manufacture of their “delicacies,” and a billiard room/bowling alley catering to the “the highest class of the trade.” The post office remained in the building until the construction of the federal building in 1931. This historic building has been carefully restored to its original appearance and, since 1958, has housed one of Montana’s longest running newspapers, the Lewistown New-Argus.
From the NRHP plaque at the building