Sometimes, history does not define a place; rather, it seems a place defines its own history. With that in mind, 120 Main St. in Kalispell seems to have defined a history all its own – closely associated with things bold and bawdy … and beer.
In 1892, the address belonged to the Brewery Saloon, owned and operated by German immigrants Charles and Henry Lindlahr, who had a knack for brewing good beer (they also owned the original Kalispell Malting and Brewing Company).
The Brewery Saloon was known more for its free lunch and five-cent draft beers, and perhaps less for its ambiance anchored by a massive oak and mahogany bar surrounded by French mirrors and brass trim. The saloon was notably one of the first brick buildings along Main Street. The windows on the first floor (now filled in with brick) reveal how the building was once free-standing.
In 1900, Charles Lindlahr added the soon-to-be notorious second floor, which was built to provide the men-only Kalispell Club with rooms for reception, reading and billiards. Remarkably, providing room for men to “read” proved quite profitable, and Charles later added card rooms, bathrooms and Kalispell’s first bowling alley.
As a rule, (married) women were not allowed in the establishment, however, women (of more questionable repute) were inexplicably known to habituate the Brewery Saloon. Indeed, “gentlemen” pursued more bawdy endeavors at the Brewery Saloon – an anchor of Kalispell’s early red-light district – and a place of sport and strife.
For example, in 1907, a jealous husband shot his wife and then shot himself, near the alley along First Avenue West near the back entrance. He was distraught because his wife insisted upon “having a drink” at the Brewery Saloon with her “barmaid” friend.
Indeed, rough-and-tumble doings also occurred with the ownership of the building itself. In 1919, the first of a few government interventions took place when ownership was adjusted by court order (which was a rare occurrence considering the times). James Jorgenson and Albert Dreesen became the owners and renamed the establishment “The Palm.”
During Prohibition, The Palm sold fishing gear, smoking supplies, candy and fountain drinks to stay afloat (and veil the illegal purveying of libations). To help bolster earnings during Prohibition, women were allowed to bowl once a week, but only at a designated time, of course.
After Prohibition, the building continued its rather tumultuous history. Even as recently as the 1970s, police raids snagged illegal gambling operations. And government intervention continued as the liquor license for The Palm was seized and sold by the Internal Revenue Service.
The building also endured what many historical preservationists would shun as a “typical, modern ‘70s remodel.” Fortunately, the original Victorian-era façade was meticulously restored in 2001. Consequently, the building looks much like it did in 1904 – some 110 years ago.
And whether history defined this place, or it defined its own history, many traditions carry on today – albeit, rather ironically.
Instead of short orders and tall beers, much healthier food can be had at A Fresh Start café, at the back of Sassafras (an art/antique cooperative featuring more than 30 local artists), which are worth visiting to enjoy the tin-ceiling charm of the interior. And the upstairs is still busy with legal matters, although now within the walls of more proper law offices.
Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and architecture. You can share ideas and historical facts with him at [email protected] or at facebook.com/flatheadvalleylandmarks.??He is also the author of “Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in the Flathead Valley, Montana 1887-1917” available at DeathInTheValley.com.