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FLATHEADBEACON.COM REAL ESTATE
JULY 30, 2014 | 41
LANDMARKS
7 First Ave. E., Kalispell
Kalispell Monumental Co.
By JAIX CHAIX
Kalispell is a place with a rare and splendid local history. But while some of the homes and buildings of Kalispell have been remarkably well-preserved, others bear hardly a trace of their origins. The Kalispell Mon- umental Co. building, at 7 First Ave. E., is one of those places: aside from its original brick exterior, there is little trace of its history (which was perhaps not “all there” in the first place).
The Kalispell Monumental Co. was one of many stonework businesses owned by Fred H. Sammis of Spokane. Sammis was involved in his share of contro- versies and was one of many questionable characters from a “bright city” who came to the Flathead Valley to stake a business fortune in “the backyard of railroad tycoon James J. Hill’s tourist park.”
In November, 1910, Sammis started a similar two- story brick building for his Sammis Monumental Co. in Spokane. A few months later, he turned to Kalispell and hired local architect Joseph Gibson to design this single-story brick building, which was intended to be the model for such an enterprise.
Gibson designed the structure to accommodate larger-than-life pane glass windows along two sides of the building to showcase the finest “monumental goods and marble works” available, a traveling crane that could move massive stones inside the building and a railroad loading dock at the back of the building.
Soon after the plate glass windows were installed on March 28, 1911, the company moved into its new location with a railroad spur line to its backdoor con-
PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
necting it to the Great Northern Railway just to the north. Incidentally, “approval” for the railroad spur has a similar peculiar history. (There are perhaps few better ways to get legislation, ordinances and other measures passed without rebuttal than waiting until everyone else has left to celebrate a holiday.)
Such political maneuvering is just one of many un- told chapters of Kalispell history, in which folks from “out of town” used their money, muscle and social in- fluence in their favor. Indeed, The Kalispell Monumen- tal Co. had other interested parties besides Sammis, such as Mrs. E.A. Boor, a rather well-heeled resident of New York City.
While the company owners lived afar, the company workers, such as engineer Marion T. Burns and stone- cutter Leonard D. Roberson, lived along First Avenue East. Company cashier Payson E. Sammis actually lived and worked in the building. And even the ever-so-
aspiring business manager Clyde M. SeCor lived near- by, albeit at the The Congress (formerly at 215 First Ave. E.), along with other prominent well-to-do busi- nessmen of the day.
The Kalispell Monumental Co. was reported to be the second-largest operation of its kind in the United States and claimed, “our work is above criticism.” How- ever, despite the assertion, the business proved to be a monumental failure. Just three years after moving into the location, the company went bankrupt, as its busi- ness model seemed to have more to do with social sta- tus than any practical business sense.
Afterward, the American Laundry Company brief- ly occupied the location, as did the Main Street Motor Sales Company, which converted the building into a garage and sales showroom. Yet after a short time, the building would lie dormant and was later brought back to life as a “mini mall” of sorts.
And while the railroad tracks are gone, and the massive crane and stones are nowhere to be found, the history of the building continues – albeit ironically. Bearing hardly any resemblance to its initial purpose as headquarters for a single, pie-in-the-sky operation, this historical brick building is now home to a thriving collective of local businesses.
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.
FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson
What You Can Buy for About $200,000
NEXT WEEK: $250,000
KALISPELL
BIGFORK
COLUMBIA FALLS
LAKESIDE
353 Patrick Creek Rd.
19886 Highway 35
1210 Eighth Ave. W.
1198 Bierney Creek Rd.
PRICE: $189,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, one-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 2,334
This cozy home sits on almost 2 acres and includes a large deck, detached garage and new septic system. Montana Land and Home
MLS #: 328325
PRICE: $189,900
WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home
SQUARE FEET: 1,416
This charming home is partially remod- eled and sits on 1 acre of lush surround- ings. It also has an observation deck, creek-side fireplace and workshop studio. West Venture Real Estate, LLC
MLS #: 328031
PRICE: $190,000
WHAT: Four-bedroom, two-bath home SQUARE FEET: 1,806
This gorgeous split entry home is in a great neighborhood. It features moun- tain views, a great floor plan, nicely landscaped yard and plenty of extra parking. West Venture Real Estate, LLC
MLS #: 328579
PRICE: $198,000
WHAT: Two-bedroom, two-bath home SQUARE FEET: 1,386
This cabin in the woods sits on 1.5 acres in a tranquil setting with beauti- ful mountain views, and seasonal creek running through the back of the prop- erty. Performance Real Estate, Inc.
MLS #: 327827
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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