Lost: Montana Bank
By Sarah Amtower | Online Only | Apr. 24, 2008
Demolition of the 108-year-old Conrad Bank in Great Falls, Mont.
Credit: Ellen Sievert
Last week demolition began on a century-old building in Great Falls, Mont., that a fire damaged two years ago.
Under pressure from the city and his insurance company, Tony Longin, the owner of the Conrad Bank Building, decided to demolish the building for public-safety reasons.
"It's sad to see it go," Longin says, adding that workers are taking the time and money to salvage some elements, such as 1,000-pound sandstone columns and 400-pound decorative sandstone carvings.
Built in 1900 by wealthy entrepreneur William Conrad, the building functioned as a bank for decades. In 1944 the basement was modified to store safety deposit boxes. The building underwent more changes in the 1970s, one of which entailed covering the original exterior with a steel facade. After sitting vacant, the building was acquired 15 years ago by the Longin family, which used it as a store. The 2006 fire destroyed both the roof and steel facade, but the exposed brick exterior sparked community interest in preserving the building.
"I think that it should have been preserved," says City Historic Preservation Officer Ellen Sievert. "It would have been a really good project as part of preserving downtown history."
Comments
Submitted by Wisconsin Paddi at: May 1, 2008
Am glad my mom and grandparents have passed and do not know about this demolition - they did business here. It's sad to see historic buildings crumble, but I'm glad portions are being treasured - and hopefully will be reused again.
Submitted by Pat at: April 28, 2008
I think all buildings should be saved and reused. It is so sad to see an empty building. If Europe can reuse buildings (my brother lived in an apt that used to be the guards quarters to a 800 year old castle, now that is reuse) why can't the US.