Western Pawn, Fuller Hotel/Losekamp Block, 2817 Montana Avenue, 1903

"LOSEKAMP/FAMOUS OUTFITTER" was located on Montana between 25th and 26th streets from 1884 until sometime before 1900 when Losekamp moved to a two story building on this site. Losekamp freely gave credit to cowboys and range riders from the surrounding area. In the fall of 1903 when Losekamp was out of town, his partner put the entire inventory up for sale to clear the way to construct this building. In later years, the Losekamp Block housed the local post office. During 1920s-early 1930s, the Liberty Theater, later the Rio Theater, ran here.

Historic Name:
Losekamp Block
Current Name:
Western Pawn; Fuller Hotel

Builder:

Original Use:
Store, lodgings
Current Use:
Store, lodgings

Physical Description:
The Losekamp Block is a two story commercial building fronting south onto Montana Avenue. It is an L-shaped mass, projecting deep into the lot on the east portion. The building is symmetrical in design, and organized with two storefronts on the first floor, and 18 lodgings upstairs. It is constructed of brick, with brown and cream brick facing the primary (south) façade.

Glazing and brickwork around the storefronts are new, but complementary to the historic design. Matched brown brick with cream diamonds above frames the storefronts. The retail displays set back into the front, with full glazing around them and oak-framed glass doors.

On the second story, the building is highly ornamented with raised brick, raised keystone and spring arch accents in cream brick. A large, bracketed metal cornice crowns the building. Across the brick frieze, circular medallions and cream brick diamonds complete the design.

The retail space retains much historic fabric, with high pressed tin ceiling, wood floors, and exposed brick masonry.

At the far west side of the front, a doorway leads to the upstairs. The stairwell is trimmed with paneled oak wainscoting, to match the doorframes and baseboards upstairs. From the top of the stairs, a central corridor extends back to the rear, a shorter hallway branches to the west. Manager's office/apartment is located in the front corner, and two larger apartments are located at the rear. All others are single room lodgings with a shared bath on the hall.

Historical Associations:
John D. Losekamp came to Billings in 1884 and with his sons established a boot & shoe store on Montana between 25th and 26th Streets. The business grew into a gentlemen's clothing store, and he freely gave credit to cowboys and range riders from the surrounding area. The sign on his business read "LOSEKAMP/FAMOUS OUTFITTER". He purchased this property at 2817-19 Montana Avenue, and moved the business into a 2-story building on this site. Losekamp entered into partnership with JR Yates about 1900, and in fall of 1903, when Losekamp was out of town, Yates put the entire inventory up for sale, clearing the way to construct a new building on this site. Business boomed, netting as much as $60,000 per annum during the early 1900s. When Losekamp died in 1913, ownership of the business and property passed to Yates and his wife Florence.

In later years, the Losekamp Block housed the local post office. During the mid-1910s, Geo L Tracy and C W Graham held offices here at 2718 Montana as manufacturers' agents before building their own building at 2600 Montana. During the late 1920s-early 1930s, the Liberty Theater ran here. It later became the Rio Theater.

Losekamp became a prominent downtown merchant, and served out a short term in 1893 as mayor. Losekamp was also an avid fly fisherman, and in 1899 planted the first trout in Beartooth and Dean Lakes in the Beartooth Range south of Billings.

Historical and Architectural Significance:
The Losekamp Block is one of many early business houses which were built just after the turn of the 20th century, to expand space and commerce. Many merchants replaced earlier, more cramped quarters as the town and their trade grew. Losekamp and Yates are representative of the many dry goods and mercantile shops which took hold in early Billings, catering to the needs of a steadily growing community.

The architecture, currently unattributed, is a spirited turn-of-the century design, with its strong cornice, polychrome brick and embellished window heads. It is a strong example of popular commercial style of the day, and worthy of National Register recognition.