While Culver Studio was built in 1899, it can't be stated with certainty that the sign is as old. It actually appears to have been repainted over an older sign. In November of 1909 the studio was purchased by Cathreen Coulton, to be managed by one Herbert Titter. At the time Titter was with the Empire Studio of Lewistown, but had previously been in the employ of the Culver Studio. This tells us that the sign was done in 1909, at the latest.
Miss Cathreen Coulton this week purchased the Culver studio and is now in possession. It will be known as the Coulton Studio, and Herbert Titter will take the management of the place.
From the Fergus County Argus
In any event, it is a good identifier for this one time photographic studio.
William H. Culver, builder of the studio, was a photographer who chronicled much of the early days of Central Montana, many photographs from which survive. William H. Culver was the first photographer to set up a business in Lewistown in 1886. He moved to Lewistown from Maiden, Montana where he had been a photographer from 1883-1886. Culver's original home stood to the northwest of the present two storey brick building, standing where the front garden is today. The original studio, a small one storey wood framed building, stood partially on the location of the present studio building.
Apparently, in 1980, when the studio was listed on the National Register, many of his photographs remained in the building. Given that the last studio in the building closed in 1995 it is unlikely that these photographs remain in the building. Many of Culver's photos, now public domain, can be seen at MT Memory
Culver Studio
The Culver Studio, a typical late I9th Century, two-story, brick commericaI/residential structure built in downtown Lewistown, Montana, is significant in its association with William Culver. Culver was a noted photographer who, in addition to his commercial portraiture, captured many scenes and events of the early day central portion of the state. He photographed the Judith Roundup in 1884 and the opening of the English Sapphire mine (a difficult project in the pre-flash or floodlight era).
Before William Culver settled down to his professional career as a photographer, he carroused the west, hunting, trapping and trading with the Indians. Culver established his first studio in Maiden, Montana in 1883, but moved to Lewistown three years later. He built his brick studio and residence on Fifth Avenue in Lewistown in 1899. During the winter of 1899-1900, the upper story served as a classroom for Lewistown's first high school and the Culver family moved in in the spring. Culver also established a studio in Old Utica, then a leading cowtown. He spent a few days each month in the Utica area, travelling by buggy with a signboard on the back.
William Culver's interests ranged far beyond the camera and darkroom. He played the cornet and organized and directed the first Lewistown band. When Lewistown was organized as a city, he was elected to the city council and aided in the early planning and development of the city. He helped build the first opera house in Lewistown and managed it for many years. Culver lived in Lewistown for a total of 44 years.
The Culver Studio remains a repository for several collections of historic photographs which form a pictorial record of the growth and development of central Montana. Culver himself photographed and catalogued 138 early pioneer residences during his career.
From the NRHP Nomination Form
