{"id":2192,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-10-11 01:32:36","latitude":45.7803274999999985084286890923976898193359375,"longitude":-108.507162699999980759457685053348541259765625,"title":"Pouder Furniture Building","subtitle":"Billings Townsite Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/7314e516c47d63bfa15192734e9d638f.jpg","address":"2923 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"Situated in the heart of the extended commercial railroad corridor that developed in the 1910s, this vernacular Western Commercial style building on its prominent corner anchors the historic district. Built circa 1916, Howard J. Pouder and his wife Nettie moved their second-hand furniture business here from a few doors down. The Pouders’ Billings Auction House operated at this location until 1929, advertising “everything for the home.” The Pouders bought, sold, and exchanged furniture, kitchen appliances, rugs, and office equipment and purchased large inventories of household goods for re-sale. The building, which wraps around North Thirtieth Street, included a two-room apartment, advertised for rent in 1920. By 1923, the upper floor housed a dance hall and by 1930, the upstairs had been converted into the Central Apartments, which included five units. Offices for the Crosby Hatchery opened onto North Thirtieth Street, and the Central Sheet Metal Works operated on the ground floor. Architecturally significant for its stunning red brick façade, the pristine upper story features segmental arched windows, simple brick detailing, and wonderful “ghost signs” recalling the building’s early 1930s occupants.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/e383429f-c0b8-4012-8556-950137726936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the Billings Townsite Historic District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/7314e516c47d63bfa15192734e9d638f.jpg":{"id":6871,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Pouder Furniture Building","description":"Front to side view of building, facing north on Montana Avenue.  | Montana Historical Society | September 2026 | Arizona Duff","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/7314e516c47d63bfa15192734e9d638f.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/eb47e988bea8c4e26cc23990755773fd.jpg":{"id":6870,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Pouder Furniture Building","description":"Side view of building, facing northeast.  | Montana Historical Society | September 2026 | Arizona Duff","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/eb47e988bea8c4e26cc23990755773fd.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/b92a131c2a3cc16b8fe5dc88c0c5cb1e.jpg":{"id":435,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Pouder Furniture Building, exterior","description":"1. Name Common: Bathtub Ginny’s<br />\r\n2. Location Street and number: 2923 Montana Ave.<br />\r\nCity or Town: BIllings<br />\r\nState: Montana <br />\r\nCounty: Yellowstone<br />\r\nBlack and white photograph<br />\r\nFront to side view of facade.  | Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana | [no date] | Unidentified photographer","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/b92a131c2a3cc16b8fe5dc88c0c5cb1e.jpg"}}}