Montgomery Ward Building, building in Pennsylvania, United States of America
The Montgomery Ward Building in Lewistown is a 1929 Art Deco structure with brick and terracotta exterior that holds two main sections: a store portion with two floors and a mezzanine, and an office area with two stories. The facade features bay windows, decorative glazed terra cotta panels, pilasters, and a sculpture of a woman with a torch at the top.
The building was designed by architects James A. Royer and G. Frank Witman in 1929 and was among the first Montgomery Ward locations in the country. A serious fire in December 1936 caused damage but the store was repaired and continued serving shoppers until the early 1980s when the company closed.
The building's name honors Montgomery Ward, founder of the mail-order company that brought shopping to rural communities. The large street-level windows served as a gathering point where locals could browse seasonal displays and discover new merchandise.
The building sits on Monument Square in downtown Lewistown and is easily visible from the street. The facade remains accessible for viewing the architectural details and decorative elements from the sidewalk.
The building features a sculpture of a woman holding a torch called the Spirit of Progress, inspired by a monument designed by artist J. Massey Rhind. This figure became a trademark on many Ward stores and symbolized the modern spirit of early twentieth-century commerce.
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