Page 41 - Flathead Beacon // 3.25.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
REAL ESTATE
MARCH 25, 2015 | 41
LANDMARKS
200 First Ave. E., Kalispell
KM Building
By JAIX CHAIX
History can often be peculiar. This is especially true if you consider how one of the biggest, oldest, and largest local landmarks in the Flathead Valley is often overlooked. Nonetheless, the KM Building, formerly the Kalispell Mercantile Building, at 200 First Ave. E. in Kalispell remains an historical treasure in so many ways.
Truth be told, the KM Building is actually a block- long monolith of several buildings, connected to one another from about 1892 through 1910. In former days, each “building” served a different purpose. One stored and sold general merchandise, another hardware, another groceries, etc.
The building also played an important role in early Flathead County and Kalispell history. When Flathead County was founded in 1893, officials soon realized they had a county, but didn’t have office space. So for many years, county offices, the courtroom, and Kalispell City Hall were located inside the KM Building, as the fine hardwood finishing and other details on the top floor still remind us — thanks to the ever-so-thoughtful preservation of the building’s current owners, Bill and Jana Goodman.
The Goodmans bought the KM Building in 1997 and have since painstakingly restored the building inside and out. For example, they removed the “marblecrete” exterior installed in 1965 to expose the original brick façade. And whether by maintaining the original integrity of the building, or restoring historic window displays (such as those made by Hugh Hockaday), the
The Kalispell Mercantile circa 1920. A postcard with this photo is available at the Archives & Special Collections, Mansfield Library, The University of Montana.
Goodmans are keeping important Flathead heritage alive and well.
Their work seems like an effortless labor of love — and daunting challenge — just the same, considering the history of the place. Even the basement reveals history. For example, the oldest, still-working furnace in Montana lies below. And for those not- so-mechanically enthralled, there are markings of decades-old graffiti, including the scribblings of former high school “spud sorters,” who left their marks upon the walls in between sorting potatoes and produce. Even the former basement chicken coop (still much in its original form) harkens to a time when “fresh, local food” had a much bolder meaning. And a sugar cane caper in the 1930s (a burglary by the truckload) is just one of many peculiar happenings at the place.
Indeed, from top to bottom, the KM Building is
uniquely filled with history, as few buildings can boast of an historic courtroom — and chicken coop — much the same. And the history of the Kalispell Mercantile spans the 1880s through the 1980s, when the business finally ceased operations. The Kalispell Mercantile was a branch of the Missoula Mercantile, which was originally established under a tent by Telesphore Jacques DeMers, the co-founder of the bygone town of Demersville (after the merchants at nearby Ashley snubbed him).
And quite literally, the legacy of the KM Building pervades the Flathead Valley and beyond. There are numerous homes throughout the Flathead that still have hardware, furnishings, or other items once sold and bought at the Kalispell Mercantile. And more than a few antiques that turn up in shops from Bellingham to Billings to Bismark can be traced to Kalispell Mercantile origins.
So, if you haven’t been to the KM Building in awhile, it’s well worth visiting. For even just a walk through the halls offers a history lesson, as the enormous old-time photos on the walls tell many often-forgotten stories of the past. And with more than 25 businesses and offices inside, you’ll likely discover shops or services you didn’t even know were there – much like the impressive history of the KM Building itself.
FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson
What You Can Buy for About $150,000
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: $200,000
HUNGRY HORSE
KALISPELL
KALISPELL
KALISPELL
133 1st Ave. S.
136 10th Ave. W.
747 3rd Ave. W.
559 Conrad Dr.
PRICE: $128,500
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 1,540
Many recent updates, newer furnace and lots of storage in basement. Single car garage plus large shop and fenced yard.
Glacier Real Estate of Montana MLS #: 331185
PRICE: $139,500
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home SQUARE FEET: 2,032
This property is being sold through auction. It features a single garage and was built in 1947.
Glacier Real Estate of Montana MLS #: 331215
PRICE: $165,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, one-bath home SQUARE FEET: 1,441
Charming older home with great character just waiting for the perfect owner. Large open living and dining rooms.
West Venture Real Estate, LLC MLS #: 331061
PRICE: $135,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath
manufactured home SQUARE FEET: 1,107
Near Woodland Park. EFA furnace and nice floor plan. Home has only been moved once.
West Venture Real Estate, LLC MLS #: 332036
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.
What would 30 years of successful real-estate experience do for you?
Call Georgia, a certified residential specialist for a free one-hour consultation.