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.
The post office remained in the building until the construction of the federal building in 1931, while various businesses came and went over the years. Finally, in 1958 the Lewistown New-Argus newspaper landed here, and it's still here, eventually becoming one of Montana's longest running newspapers.
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