Building a home on the corner of Fifth St. E. and Sixth Ave. E. in 1895 was a bit like building a home in the country nowadays. OK, at least on the outskirts of town. As the name implies, the Kalispell Building and Loan Association bought the lot and “improved” upon it by building a home (which often increased profits quite handsomely). Such was likely the case when the home was built in 1895, a time when a horse and buggy wasn’t a nicety, but a necessity to traverse the muddy streets of Kalispell, particularly in the spring.
After a few residents and owners, such as dentist Dr. Arthur Burch, and attorney Mark B. Cornrow, the home was purchased by its namesake Louis “Spaff” Spafford and his wife Hilma Rinaldo Spafford. Spaff (as he preferred) was a former editor, publisher, and manager of The Daily Inter Lake. And as a newspaper man, he certainly left an editorial legacy far and wide throughout the Flathead Valley. But perhaps his lesser-known, behind-the-scenes efforts prove more intriguing, if not more profound.
For example, in 1928, upon learning about the construction of a dam below Flathead Lake, Spaff aptly perceived how rising water levels would adversely affect the valley. So with typical determination, he persuaded the Army Corps of Engineers to get involved, which ultimately led to the high-water mark of 2,893 feet. Some 15 years later, in June, 1943, corporate and private interests were keen on raising the water level. Yet once again, Spaff determinedly hunkered down and guided the battle that ultimately prompted the Hungry Horse Dam.
Indeed, Spaff had the kind of character and constitution to make a newspaper great, but also help a community thrive. He was the kind to offer praise (before even considering a put-down) and was quick on the draw with a chuckle (and wasn’t much for chastising). And he was wise enough to know that perhaps the best place to be in the community, was helping the community. Perhaps this also partly explains why the Spafford’s daughter Rachael and son Jack were also part of the newspaper business and worked under Spaff at one time or another.
Akin to many others who came to Kalispell, Spaff was born back east, at Syracuse, New York in 1872. He came to Kalispell by way of North Dakota and Idaho, to manage the former Kalispell Bee newspaper. Likewise, Hilma was born in Minneapolis in 1874 and the two married at Glendive, Montana in 1909. And once they arrived at Kalispell, they stayed. And by stayed, they stayed in the same house, like many of their generation did. Hilma sadly passed away in 1955, and Spaff kept the home until he passed in 1956. And as if that weren’t legacy enough, the home remained in the family until the 1990s.