Page 38 - Flathead Beacon // 5.21.14

38 | MAY 21, 2014
REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

LANDMARKS
928 Second Ave. W., Kalispell
Tetrault House

cided to buy this lot and build a new home for herself.
By JAIX CHAIX
Perhaps she thought that if the Empire State Building

could be built in 1930 (the tallest building in the world At irst, the house at 928 Second Ave. W. in Kalispell
at the time) despite such overwhelming hardship, she may seem to be just another “Kalispell Craftsman”
could build herself a home as well.
built in the late 1920s.
Or perhaps while the rest of America was doubting However, once you learn the history, it becomes
“capitalism,” “imperialism” and “progressivism,” Bel- much more than just a house or home.
samel held true to one of America’s most spirited max- The home was built in 1930, less than a year af-
ims: “individualism.”
ter “Black Tuesday” when Wall Street crashed. At the

After taming a new country, starting a ranch, rais- time, America was in the throes of the Great Depres-
ing six children, and caring for an ailing husband, Bel- sion. More than 25 percent of workers were unem-
samel undoubtedly deserved and enjoyed every bit of ployed. And those who had a job sufered, too, as wages
her ine Craftsman home.
fell 40 percent or more. Local timber and agriculture
The home features many hallmarks of the Crafts- helped buoy the economy in the Flathead Valley, but PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
man style, including parallel lines and symmetry, ex- times were bleak.
posed rafters and roof brackets, and bold side dormers Indeed, the home was built during the worst of eco- ern Canadian immigrants who came to Montana and
(which were typical of many front-gabled Craftsman- nomic times, which makes this home somehow more the western United States. In this regard alone, Bel-

style homes).
remarkable. And even more remarkable, the home was samel was truly a pioneer woman, yet her accomplish-
And while the Tetrault House may have many fea- built by a woman, but not just any woman. The home ments had only begun.
tures in common with other Craftsman-style homes, it was built by 78-year-old Belsamel Tetrault – a feisty, In 1885, Belsamel reunited with her husband at
certainly has a history all its own – a truly unique his- fervent gal with more fortitude than most of us could Fort Missoula. They then settled a homestead together
tory forged by a truly unique woman.
fathom.
along Whiteish Creek. Belsamel and Joseph took up
Belsamel was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, ranching and raised their six children along Whiteish
Canada. In the mid-1880s, her family left Montreal and Creek.

Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and traveled by wagon to the Flathead Valley. Her husband In 1910, ailing health forced Joseph to retire from
architecture. You can share ideas and historical facts Joseph had left Montreal earlier in 1881 to work along the ranch and move into town, so Belsamel, Joseph,
with him at [email protected] or at the railroads in the United States.
and their children moved to Kalispell. Several years
facebook.com/latheadvalleylandmarks. He is also While the story of German, Norwegian, Swedish later, poor health got the better of Joseph and Belsamel
the author of “Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in and Italian immigrants coming to the Flathead Valley became a widow in 1916. After Joseph’s death, Belsamel
the Flathead Valley, Montana 1887-1917” available at is often told, the journey of Belsamel and Joseph Tet- remained in Kalispell among her family and friends.
DeathInTheValley.com.
rault remains one of the seldom-told stories of the east-
In 1930 – at the age of seventy-eight – Belsamel de-

FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson

What You Can Buy for About $350,000

NEXT WEEK: $400,000

BIGFORK
KALISPELL
COLUMBIA FALLS
KILA
708 Echo Lake Rd.
115 White Basin Ct.
586 Firestone Tr.
2025 Coon Springs Rd.

PRICE: $349,500
PRICE: $357,000
PRICE: $365,000
PRICE: $365,000

WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home WHAT: Three-bedroom, three-bath
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 960
SQUARE FEET: 2,600
home
SQUARE FEET: 1,928
SQUARE FEET: 2,492
This is a great opportunity to own a This comfortable home features Enjoy breathtaking views from this
comfortable cabin on Echo Lake. It has privacy, views and sprawling gardens This property features two homes
awesome home situated on 20 acres.
110 feet of gently sloped frontage and set in a forest south of Kalispell. The on almost 5 acres. The main house The home features granite counters,
land comes with 1/16 share of lakeside living room was built speciically to view features granite throughout, a custom stainless steel appliances, hardwood
property to store and launch boats. north over the groomed grounds. ireplace and huge bonus room. It’s looring and a large shop.
Fully furnished.
RE/MAX of Bigfork
secluded yet close to many amenities. Performance Real Estate, Inc.
West Venture Real Estate Performance Real Estate, Inc.
MLS #: 326688
MLS #: 326488
MLS #: 326581
MLS #: 325908

If you would like your property listed in the Floor Space section, What would 30 years of successful real-estate experience do for you?
please e-mail [email protected]. Entries are compiled by the
Beacon staf and Georgia Christianson, Montana Brokers.
Call Georgia, a certiied residential specialist for a free one-hour consultation.