Page 38 - Flathead Beacon // 4.30.14

38 | APRIL 30, 2014
REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

LANDMARKS
610 First Ave. W., Kalispell
Harris House

Tuesday Study Club in Kalispell. She likely used the
By JAIX CHAIX
home on occasion for their gatherings and book read-

At 610 First Ave. W. stands a ine example of an early ings, as well as entertaining many acquaintances from
20th-century, cross-gable Queen Anne home. With its the other civic and church groups to which the Harris
distinctive ish-scale siding, pedimented front porch, family belonged.
and steep roof, the home was welcoming to all – and In 1954, tragedy struck the Harris family as their
home to many notable residents as well.
daughter Mildred (Brust) and grandson Charles were
The home was built in 1905, the same year Xerxes murdered in Lancaster, Calif., by their son-in-law Os-
Kemp Stout leased here. Xerxes was formerly the sec- car Brust. Dr. Harris retired from practice the follow-

retary of the Montana State Senate. Among his notable ing year and enjoyed his retirement at the residence.
deeds, Xerxes administered the oath of oice to the In 1960, Eleanor unfortunately passed away at the
irst governor of the state of Montana, Joseph Kemp age of 75. She had been a resident of Kalispell since she
Toole – his uncle.
married at the age of 19 and lived in the house for more
In 1913, the house maintained its political afairs as than 35 years. Dr. Harris survived her until he died in
Sidney H. Butler rented the home. Coincidentally, But- March, 1966, at home – the place he had lived for 42
ler was appointed a notary public of Missoula County years.
in February 1891 by Gov. Toole. Butler also served in During his life, Harris must have fostered a sense of
PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
the irst and third Montana legislative assemblies.
caring and a sense of permanence, as his daughter Ber-
Moreover, Butler irst came to the Flathead Valley improvements of the home as he was a resident of the nice (Teigen) remained in the home until 1981, preserv-
in 1884 and has often been regarded as the “Father of home the longest.
ing its lineage and also its character for us to appreciate
Flathead County.” After all, he had been greatly re- Perhaps having not found much to improve upon today – and imagine the ambitions and recollections
sponsible for the legislation to carve it from Missoula inside the home (with its built-in cabinetry, ine maple- that took place within its walls.
County. Butler was the irst to read the bill during the wood looring in the dining room, an arched breakfast
third legislative assembly in 1893, namely House Bill nook and other ine amenities), Harris turned his eye Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and ar-

No. 26: “A bill for an act to create the County of Flat- toward improving the attached garage. He piped in chitecture. Share your ideas and historical facts with him
head.”
steam heat so his car would start more readily during at [email protected]. Also visit facebook.
In 1924, the residence continued to attract and the cold winters – a time when his osteopathy patients com/latheadvalleylandmarks. Jaix is also the author of
house men of prominence and importance as Dr. Lo- were most likely to sufer sore joints and aching bones.
the upcoming book series “Death in the Valley: Odd Trag-
cious A. Harris purchased the home. Harris is re- Aside from raising her three daughters and keep- edies in the Flathead Valley, Montana, 1887-1917.”
sponsible for the ine maintenance and many of the
ing house, Eleanor Harris was a charter member of the

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