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FLATHEADBEACON.COM REAL ESTATE
FEBRUARY 25, 2015 | 39
LANDMARKS
Kalispell
Scott/Forhan House
By JAIX CHAIX
In the spring of 1891, the first building lots in Ka- lispell sold with vigor and all the promise of a burgeon- ing railroad town. Those seeking opportunity flocked along Main Street. While those a bit timid of the hustle and bustle sought lots near the outskirts, where fami- lies had room to keep both house and horse (and al- though the present-day garage isn’t telling any secrets, a three-story barn once stood in its place).
Soon, neighbors began to form neighborhoods, such as when Thomas Lacher and Frederick Ferguson, two Great Northern Railway workers, planned to build homes along the 300 block of Fourth Avenue West.
Back then, mutual benefit trumped individual ex- pression, as Lacher and Ferguson proved. They were both immigrants from England. They worked for the same railroad. And they bought lots on the same street, side-by-side, and planned to build similar style homes.
The Scott/Forhan House and the Ferguson House next door (at 320 Fourth Ave. W.) were once identical, quaint, Queen Anne four-square cottages. However, the Ferguson House retains its original form, while the Scott/Forhan House bears hardly a trace.
In the 1910s, Lacher sold the house to Stacy Scott and his wife Carrie. Stacy was a windmill agent (yes, a salesman who sold windmills used for pumping wa- ter and irrigating crops). The Scotts owned the home for several years and kept it as-is. They sold the home in 1923 to William Forhan, another railroad man who worked for the Great Northern for 44 years.
Forhan was a conductor between Havre and Spo-
PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
kane before serving along the Kalispell spur lines be- tween Columbia Falls, Somers and Kila (the route known as the “The Galloping Goose”).
Forhan was an Irish immigrant. And his wife Her- mine (née Merker) was born in 1886 at Dux, Bohemia (now in the northern part of the Czech Republic near the German border) and proves how the cultural heri- tage of those who came to the Flathead reaches far and wide (even to places that no longer exist).
And like many other immigrants, the Forhans were typical Kalispell homeowners of the 1920s, and even renovated their house as many others did. Although, perhaps it is better to say they completely trans- formed a quiet Queen-Anne into a formidable abode of vernacular style.
Indeed, the house grew in every dimension. The first floor was expanded at the back. A full basement was added below. And a second floor with several bed- rooms was added on top, with a bathroom included. While the idea of an “upstairs bathroom” was lofty, even for the roaring twenties, the Forhans had good reason (if not practical necessity) for putting a bath- room on the second floor. They were a growing family – a family of nine children.
Much like the ivy that grew on the outside of the house, something always seemed to be budding and blooming around their home. For example, in the 1930s, William kept a home business selling tulip bulbs. In the 1940s, daughter Nelle operated “Nelle’s Beauty Shop” from the home. Meanwhile, her sister and brother-in- law raised their six children at the home as well. Hence, the house was extended, much like the Forhan fam- ily was extended.
Ultimately, the house remained in the family for nearly 45 years, until the late 1960s. While that’s no small measure, there is perhaps a better measure of the family home.
When Hermine sadly passed away in 1972, she was survived by 21 grandchildren – plus 22 great- grandchildren – all descendants of the “Forhan chil- dren,” including one who fondly recalled this was a “house full of love.”
FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson
What You Can Buy for About $300,000
FLATHEAD VALLEY
By Jaix Chaix
Jaix Chaix is a columnist and author of Flathead Valley Landmarks and other local history books that are available for sale at the Flathead Beacon at 17 Main St. in Kalispell.
NEXT WEEK: $350,000
KALISPELL
COLUMBIA FALLS
KALISPELL
LAKESIDE
121 Rainbow Dr.
28 Talbot Pines
125 Autumn Ln.
540 Angel Point Rd.
PRICE: $299,900
WHAT: Four-bedroom, two-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 2,464
This nicely remodeled four-bedroom home sits on 1.22 acres in an upscale neighborhood close to town, Foys Lake and Herron Park.
Glacier Real Estate of Montana MLS #: 331186
PRICE: $319,000
WHAT: Four-bedroom, two-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 2,600
This beautiful and spacious new home is located in a gorgeous neighborhood close to schools, the Flathead River, shopping and downtown.
Keller Williams Realty Northwest Montana
MLS #: 331035
PRICE: $325,000
WHAT: Two-bedroom, two-bath home SQUARE FEET: 1,792
Located in a private West Valley setting on almost 7 acres, this home features hardwood and tile floors, large master suite and separate storage shed.
ERA Lambros MLS #: 331555
PRICE: $325,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home SQUARE FEET: 1,860
This private home is nestled into the hillside on Angel Point in Lakeside. It features beautiful woodwork finishes, expansive windows with filtered views of Flathead Lake and a large deck. Trails West Real Estate/Lakeside
MLS #: 331709
If you would like your property listed in the Floor Space section, please e-mail [email protected]. Entries are compiled by the Beacon staff and Georgia Christianson, Montana Brokers.
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