Robworth Apartments
Bonner Lumber Co. manager and Deer Lodge U.S. National Bank president Joseph Whitworth hired Butte contractor William Robertson to design and build the aptly named Robworth Apartments in 1919. Unlike Eastern Montana, which had already begun to feel the effects of an agricultural depression, Deer Lodge's economy was stable after World War I, and the building represents the town's optimism. Before workers broke ground on the restrained Neoclassical style building, tenants had already rented all fifteen units. Each of the first-and second-floor apartments featured a bath, kitchenette with an electric range, and a bedroom with a space-saving Murphy "disappearing" bed. Tenants paid $50 per month to rent the upstairs apartments and $35 per month for the daylight basement units. The original building featured full-height round columns with capitals on each side of the recessed nine-light foyer door with matching sidelights. A curved entablature with a flat frieze and an overhanging cornice sat atop the capitals. An open two-story back porch connected the building's wings and foyers. Each back porch door opened into the kitchen and offered "fresh air" and a view. Notably, the porch doors exemplified society's initial "fresh air" treatment for tuberculosis. Many early tenants worked for the railroad or the prison, owned businesses, or held skilled positions at local companies. Claude L. Benton and wife Anna lived here from 1920 until at least 1930. Claude owned the Golden Rule general merchandise store, served as president of the Rotary Club, and was active in state Republican politics.
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