On May 16, 1932, a new Federal Building officially opened for business in Havre and for the next 65 years would serve Havre and the Hi-Line as a post office and federal courthouse.  Today the historic landmark continues to serve the Hi-Line preserving history and culture by housing the H. Earl Clack Museum and Art Gallery and a Wide variety of cultural activities.
Located at 306 Third Ave. in Havre, the building began its legacy as early as 1921 when it was decided that an earlier post office located accross the street in the Masonic Temple Building was too small.  City fathers also believed the growing community would benefit greatly if it could house the Federal Court and other federal offices.  Agitation for a building that would serve not only as a post office, but also as an immigration building started almost immediately.  Mayor W.C. McKelvy, the Havre Rotary Club and other influential citizens convinced then Congressman Scott Leavitt to introduce a bill in Congress authorizing construction. The bill allocated $200,000 and was passed in 1928.
            Ground breaking took place in the summer of 1930.
            The two-story building opened in 1932 and the grand opening was held on June 11. About 4,000 people attended the event. A banquet was provided and festivities are said to have included the placing of a time capsule in the cornerstone of the building. The opening was such an important occasion that businesses were closed in Havre from 1-4 p.m. so people could attend the ceremonies.
            The structure housed a U.S. Customs Office and Post Office on the ground floor with a second Customs Office on the second floor.  Offices for the U.S. District Attorney, the Federal Grand Jury, Prohibition Unit, Naturalization and Immigration, Civil Service, Internal Revenue Service and Federal Court Petite Jury also sharing space.
            Recruiting offices for various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces also, from time to time, occupied space on the second floor.
            Even before completion of the building, a movement began to add a third story to the building for the U.S. Marshall, Clerk of Court, and judge's chambers. The sum of $50,000 was appropriated for the additional floor.  It contained a courtroom, federal court witness room and offices for the U.S. Marshall, Clerk of Court and judge's chambers.
            Over the years, a wide variety of visitors passed through the portals of the historic building. Most were patrons of the Post Office, but for a few, including those who had chosen to skirt the law, the third floor courtroom might be their most lasting memory.  The holding cell still remains to remind visitors of the building's less mundane function.  The Federal Court moved to Great Falls during the 1950s, but District Court continued to utilize the facilities until moving to the Hill County Courthouse during the 1980's.
            On March 14, 1986, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As the needs of the U.S. Postal Service grew, the building became increasingly unsuitable as a Post Office and on Nov. 6, 1995, the Postal Service relocated to a new facility on Third Street between First and Second Avenue.
            Now empty, the Postal Service had decided to sell the structure to the highest bidder. Fearing the building would be demolished for scrap, the city of Havre and the H. Earl Clack Museum Foundation stepped forward in an effort to save this historic landmark, with its abundant history, Greek pillars and marble floors from destruction.
            Agreeing on a price of $150,000, the Postal Service sold the structure in August 1996.
Today the building's owners are striving to provide the communities of the Hi-Line with a variety of historic and cultural exhibits and events to enrich the lives of its citizens. The facility is open daily during the summer for visitors to the Museum and Art gallery and many cultural events and projects are available to the public.