Unraveling the twisted and tightly intertwined stories of the banks and bank buildings of Harlowton has become a daunting task. In all there were fourteen banks established in Wheatland County over the years, many of which lived mercifully short lives. To our knowledge there are today no less than five remaining buildings which were the original homes of a Harlowton bank. This doesn't take into account the couple which succumbed to fire in Harlowton's earlier days.
They are the
City Hall, originally the Farmer's State bank and sold to the city in 1930 following its consolidation with the Continental National Bank; the
Seniors Citizens' Centre, originally the Musselshell Valley Bank; the
Citizens Bank & Trust, originally the Bank of Wheatland County; what is today the home of the "
Reel Pro Sound Guys", once home to the
State Bank of Harlowton, the first bank in Harlowton; and this building, number two of the Upper Musselshell Museum, initially home to the
Continental Bank & Trust Company.
Succeeding the
State bank of Harlowton in April of 1917, the
Continental Bank & Trust Company was organized with $150,000 capital. It remained in this building until December of 1921, whereupon the
Continental Bank and Trust Company consolidated with the
Bank of Wheatland County, utilizing the
Bank of Wheatland County building and the
Continental Bank and Trust Company name. Thereafter the
Norwest Bancorporation purchased the bank, though not this building, in 1930 and renamed it
Continental National Bank. It appears that the building was disposed of following the banks' consolidation.
Actually, according to the
Upper Musselshell Museum, "
The Times Building (11 South Central) first housed a wholesale liquor business, then a bank, a newspaper, a laundry, a cafe, a barbershop, second story apartments, various repair shops and, finally in 1987, our first museum building.". Further, it appears that, of the five, this is the only one not originally built as a bank. Still further, in the book,
Origin and history of Harlowton, Montana, this building was mis-identified as being the original home of the
Bank of Wheatland County, but the following short news item clearly identifies that bank as being the present day
Citizens Bank & Trust Building.
Bank at Harlowton to Erect Building
February 16, 1920
Harlowton, Feb.15 - The Bank of Wheatland County will erect one of the most modern and handsome exclusive bank buildings in this part of Montana, during the coming spring. The building will cost not 1ess than $20,000.00 and will be constructed of brick, trimmed in white terra cotta. It will be but one story in height, and will have an 18-foot ceiling.
The design of the building is patterned after the Bank of Fergus County in Lewistown. The exterior will present a very attractive appearance, the sides toward the streets having a colonnade effect, with beautiful large leaded glass windows between the columns.
From the Great Falls Daily Tribune, Page 4