From the looks of it, the house at 444 Sixth Ave. E. seems unique, as if it has little in common with other homes in the neighborhood, such as the nearby Conrad Mansion for example – but it certainly does.
Plans to build a home on this lot date back to 1895. For a bit of perspective, the first bridge across the Flathead River was built in 1895. Flathead County was just two years old, and home to a popular new fad: bicycling. And 1895 was the year that labor organizations boycotted Chinese labor and goods (consequently, many Chinese left, although more than 150 Chinese people remained in Kalispell, mostly around Second Street West and Second Avenue West).
Incidentally, the initial plans for the house were devised by Arthur Pearmain in 1895. Pearmain was the supervising architect for the Conrad Mansion (Kirtland Cutter of Spokane designed the architecture plans of the mansion; Pearmain was responsible for realizing them). Also M.C. Conley, the general contractor responsible for the Conrad Mansion, was also responsible for the construction of this home.
Once built, early residents included George and Annie Phillips, who lived in the home with their two sons and a maid at the beginning of the 20th century.
However, the residence – in its original form with a pointed, gable-roof, and more traditional Victorian appointments – would soon be transformed, much like life in general in the Flathead Valley, as time marched onward during the early 20th century.
After World War I, things indeed began to roar as the 1920s began. Indeed, it was a time of change, culturally and socially, artistically and intellectually – you name it. Old-fashioned was outdated. This partly explains why so many homes in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley were renovated and revived during the era.
Albeit somewhat ironic, old home styles were renovated in “revival styles,” which harked to even older times. The more popular revival styles in Kalispell included Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, and even Gothic Revival (St. Matthew’s Church and The Linderman School).
And like many other homeowners of the day, namesake owners William and Grace McKeown revived and renovated as well. Consequently, the house was transformed with a substantial addition, a gambrel façade (which faces Sixth Avenue) and other elements of a general Colonial-Revival style.
The McKeowns could afford such a transformation as William was a local attorney of prominence, and kept an office with his partner (Mark B. Conrow) at the former Conrad Bank Building. And like other homeowners of the era, the McKeowns triumphed in replacing “the old” with a popular, modern style.
In 1923, Albert and Margaret Braunberger purchased the home. Albert was born in Creston in 1880. And like other early residents of the Flathead Valley, he didn’t (immediately) leave “the farm” for the “big city.” That is, until he came to Kalispell in 1908 to work in the jewelry business, at the age of 27. Albert continued in the trade, and ultimately owned and operated Braunberger Jewelry from 1936 until 1955, when he retired.
The house was home to the Braunberger family, including son A. Barry, and daughter Virginia, who were raised in the home. Margaret Braunberger unfortunately passed away in 1957 and Albert passed away in 1960.
The house remained in the Braunberger family until 1962 – a legacy of nearly 40 years of ownership, and a legacy of common origin, unique architectural renovation, and proud homeownership that we can still fortunately appreciate today.
Jaix Chaix appreciates history and architecture. Share ideas and facts with him at [email protected] or at facebook.com/flatheadvalleylandmarks.