The site of the present-day Yogo Inn Hotel and Convention Center was originally the home of the Milwaukee Train Depot. It was built in 1910 with the anticipation that Lewistown was to be a main line. In 1956, the passenger line was terminated, and the depot sat empty. The Milwaukee Railroad had no use for the building, so they gave it to the city of Lewistown in lieu of taxes. The city had no use
for the building either, so they returned it to the railroad. In 1957 and 1958, Lewistown's food and lodging industry suffered two great losses when the Burke Hotel and the Fergus Hotel were destroyed by fire within eight months of each other. The city administration tried for several years to interest some people in the lodging business to build in Lewistown, but no one was interested. The people of this area were in need of a facility where they could hold functions, provide hospitality for visitors, and hold community gatherings. From this need was born the Lewistown Community Hotel Company, which was incorporated in 1959. With the help of a professional fundraiser, the Hockenbury System, the city administration selected a 14-member board, which included citizens from all areas of the community. It was hard work, but the reward was worth it with over 785 stockholders investing in their future. After much debate, they decided on this location as the site for the hotel. In 1961, they invited bids to demolish the existing depot, with the intent of building everything brand new. As it turned out, it was decided to keep the original depot and build around it. The Sapphire Ballroom was once the waiting room. The guest rooms above the ballroom were once apartments for conductors. The Yogo Inn began operating in July of 1962 and held a grand opening on August 3rd of that year. In 1975 it added another 24 rooms to the original 60, and in 1983 another 44 rooms, three new meeting rooms, and the famous Centermark Courtyard. The Yogo Inn is proud to play a very important role in the Central Montana community.
