Page 42 - Flathead Beacon // 7.16.14

42 | JULY 16, 2014
REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
LANDMARKS
825 Second Ave. E., Kalispell
Ragsdale House By JAIX CHAIX
Craftsman style) the newer metal roof, with its narrow vertical lines, contrasts with the narrow, horizontal lines of the clapboard siding.
Such an interplay of contrast and symmetry is per- haps most obvious at the front of the house. The front appears to be split into two parts at the middle (and deftly in line with the peak of the roof). And here’s where some clever and strikingly simple architectural nuances can be found.
For example, one side of the front is recessed and open; the other is upfront and framed. One side has a door, the other a window. The four (horizontal) steps on one side (at the bottom) contrast with the four (ver- tical) window panes on the other side (at the top). And one side of the porch features a rounded column – while the other side features straight, square trim.
The Ragsdale House may seem like “just a tiny bun- galow” with a few obvious Craftsman-style features. However, a closer look can reveal a stunning array of elements that even some of the most experienced ar- chitects of the era (or even today) would find challeng- ing to rival – especially with such great detail, on such a small scale – with such remarkable simplicity.
Jaix Chaix appreciates history and architecture. You can share ideas and facts with him at landmarks@flatheadbea- con.com or at facebook.com/flatheadvalleylandmarks. He is also the author of Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in the Flathead Valley, Montana 1887-1917.
Sometimes simple designs – in simple forms – can yield dramatic results.
Indeed, Kalispell has its share of Craftsman-style bungalows (or Bungalow-style Craftsmans, if you pre- fer). Yet the Ragsdale House at 825 Second Ave. E. may seem deceptively simple.
The home bears the name of Howard Ragsdale, who built the home in 1909. Ragsdale was a blacksmith by trade, and also assistant chief of the Kalispell Fire Department. Ragsdale was working at Christ Kolle’s blacksmith shop (located just blocks away at 321 First Ave. E.) and rooming at the firehouse while the house was being built.
Ragsdale unfortunately passed away (rather un- timely) on Dec. 25, 1915. However, he left a legacy with the design of his home that would fortunately survive generations and remain for us to appreciate today.
In 1917, William F. Halliday, a pharmacist who owned the Red Cross Pharmacy in Kalispell, purchased the home. Halliday did not remain in the home very long, and sold it in 1920 to James and Lorinda Forter. Likewise, the Forters would not redefine “longevity” with the extent of their homeownership, and the house had several other renters and owners until 1940, when R. Burt Johnson and his wife Lucille purchased the house and remained there until 1972.
The somewhat disjointed ownership of the home proves that historic preservation sometimes happens
PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
by happenstance: a series of several, short-term own- erships followed by 30 years of frugal-minded owner- ship, followed by caring owners in more recent years seems to have spared the home. That is, spared it from renovations, which undoubtedly would have blemished and greatly expanded its original form – a remarkably simple, yet sophisticated one, considering its size.
Obviously, the house features a basic, square shape with a hipped roof (the roof slants down from the mid- dle on all four sides). So no matter which side of the house you observe, the appearance is similar and over- all symmetrical: a slanted roof over a straight wall.
And speaking of symmetry (a hallmark of the
FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson
What You Can Buy for About $450,000
NEXT WEEK: $150,000
WHITEFISH
KALISPELL
BIGFORK
COLUMBIA FALLS
5065 Star Meadow Rd.
419 Orchard Rd.
15322 Woods Bay Pt.
917 Elk Park Rd.
PRICE: $445,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, three-bath
home
SQUARE FEET: 2,534
This serene home with exhilarat-
ing views has an open floor plan and expansive covered deck that provides
a fantastic space for relaxing. Includes an attached garage and sits on 19 acres. Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty
MLS #: 326952
PRICE: $450,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, three-bath
home
SQUARE FEET: 3,700
This immaculate home has an open floor plan and a refreshing style. The welcoming rooms with a hint of Europe and abundance of windows make this home wonderfully distinctive. Located in Orchard Ridge. Deaton and Company
MLS #: 326413
PRICE: $459,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 2,640
An ideal opportunity to reinvigorate a wonderful older home in a great loca- tion with lake views, nearby common area and boat dock. It features an open living area, huge multi-level deck and double garage. Trails West Real Estate/ Bigfork
MLS #: 327099
PRICE: $465,000
WHAT: Two-bedroom, three-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 2,208
Enjoy glorious views of Doris Mountain from this custom log home built with Scandinavian hand-scribed logs. It sits on 13.6 acres of meadows and trees with fencing for horses. Clearwater Montana Properties, Inc.
MLS #: 328366
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.