{"id":3719,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-10-31 23:48:52","latitude":46.246719994909568640650832094252109527587890625,"longitude":-114.15950953960418701171875,"title":"Reimel Building","subtitle":"Hamilton Commercial Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/72ba341517b56e97dbcb50ce6814a97d.jpg","address":"327-331 West Main Street, Hamilton, MT","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Historic Montana"],"description":"A building frenzy arrived in Hamilton after 1907 as the Bitterroot apple boom boosted the town’s population to three thousand. Downtown gained several architect-designed buildings, identifiable by their high-fire brick, leaded-glass transoms, and ornamental parapets. Many other respectable contractor-designed buildings filled the lots in between. In 1908, grocery store owner Lloyd Reimel hired contractor Eric Erickson to build this cast concrete block commercial building. Made with a hand-operated press, cast concrete block was unheard of in 1900. By 1906, however, more than a thousand companies nationally manufactured the durable material, providing an inexpensive alternative to cut stone. Upon completion, Lloyd sold the building to Fred Grill who operated a grocery store here until 1911. That year, John C. Wagner and wife Emma purchased the building for their furniture store and undertaking business; they lived in the second-floor rooms until 1915. John Dowling bought the Wagner’s undertaking business in 1917, operating in this location until 1926. During the 1930s, the store held automotive businesses, and then the Turf Buffet from 1939 to 1947. Ronald and Elsie Owen purchased the building in 1955. As of 2026, it remains in their family ownership.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/72ba341517b56e97dbcb50ce6814a97d.jpg":{"id":6918,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Reimel Building","description":"View of facade, facing south on West Main Street.  | Owner photo | 2026 | Alana Hughes","alt":"alt=""","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/72ba341517b56e97dbcb50ce6814a97d.jpg"}}}