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about forge
2019 a new chapter
Upon its' opening, forge offered antiques, jewelry, fine art, furniture and much more. Inside it housed a local real estate office. In summer of 2021 both an old-fashioned candy shoppe and high-end cigar humidor are to be added.
In January of 2020, the Montana Historic Preservation Review Board approved forge's application for nomination to the National Historic Registry. Later that same year, forge was honored as the first building in Augusta's history to be on the Registry.
1899 blacksmith shop
Inside this 8,000 square foot building is a remnant of the original blacksmith shop, as constructed around 1899 by Treffle Bergeron. Although it may never be known why this blacksmith shop that once occupied the lot remained inside during and after additional construction in 1917, it is an interesting surprise!
*Photo courtesy John Boughton/Pete Brown
1951, new ownership, continued purpose
Quinn's death in 1941 prompted apparent financial hardship for his wife, Jessie, and in 1943 "Mountain States Building and Loan assumed the property through a Sheriff’s sale." (Thank you to the hardworking staff at the Montana Historical Society for researching and sharing this information!)
By 1947, Richard Kenck had purchased the building and continued Quinn's business. Kenck made changes to the building interior in the early 1950s to accommodate additional elements of his business, including the sale of refrigerators. Kenck maintained the business until the mid-70's when he retired and leased the building, retaining ownership. The building remained in the Kenck family until it was purchased in 2019 by Augusta resident and local business owner Lynn Kenyon.
*Photo courtesy of MTPictures.net