Cogswell Building - Montana State Capitol Campus Historic District - Helena, MT - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

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Cogswell Building - Montana State Capitol Campus Historic District - Helena, MT

in NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings

Posted by:  T0SHEA

12T E 422158 N 5159547

Essentially occupying a full city block, the Cogswell Building was built in two stages, the original section in 1954-55, with an addition in 1981.

The building is shaped somewhat like a "T" with the arms bent downward ad a 45 degree angle, one bent a further 45 degrees and extended. Known also as the "State Laboratory Building", we suspect that it houses laboratories for various government departments.

W. F. Cogswell Building

State Laboratory Building / W. F. Cogswell Building (24LC2191); 1954-1955, Addition, 1981 (Contributing Building)
The M-shaped Cogswell Building consists of the original V-shaped building constructed in 1954 and a rectangular wing added to the back (south) elevation in 1981. Designed in the Stripped Classical style by Vincent H. Walsh, the original reinforced concrete building has a flat, built-up roof, a concrete foundation and smooth concrete walls with a stucco finish. It is two stories tall with a full basement and includes a north-facing main wing, which is approximately 150’ long and 50’ wide, flanked by two wings extending to the southwest and southeast. Like the main wing, the east wing is about 150’ long and 50’ wide. It has an approximately 84’ x 30’ one-story extension attached to the south end of its rear (southwest) elevation. This extension is original to the building. The west wing is also about 150’ long and 50’ wide, although about 25’ of its south end is oriented perpendicular to the main wing and not at an angle. An approximately 50’ x 50’ one-story extension, which is original to the building, is attached to the south end of the west wing. A second-story was added to the north side of its roof at a later date. The 1981 Addition was designed by Davidson & Kuhr in the Modern style. It is approximately 170’ long and 80’ wide. It is also two stories with a full basement and is finished in precast concrete panels, likely on a steel frame.
From the NRHP Continuation Sheet