Page 41 - Flathead Beacon // 11.27.13

40 | NOVEMBER 27, 2013
REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

LANDMARKS
604 Fifth Ave. E., Kalispell
Agather House

heard coming from inside the house, as Alfons’ death would cause mom and
By JAIX CHAIX
if “souls were trapped inside its walls.” daughter Margaret to renovate the

The elegance of this grand, early
Even the most rational of folk, declared home, so they could live in the basement
20th-century architecture is plain to the house was haunted (after hurriedly and rent the rest of the house, which
see. Even from afar, one can see this is leaving the premises).
was converted into several apartments.
the stuf of an iconic, landmark home. That is, until it was discovered that Advertisements of their “apartment for
Its history and tragedies, however, may barn swallows (not lost souls) were re- rent” would become a staple of the clas-
not seem as revealing.
sponsible for the noises that spooked siied ads section of local papers from
The home was built in 1910 for David even the sturdiest of unknowing men.
the 1930s until the late ‘50s.

Barber, a successful manager of the State In 1919, the home was cleared of Fortunately, the home has shaken
Lumber Company – an enormous enter- PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
court clerks and cobwebs and purchased the tragedies of its past. It now boasts a
prise of its day. It was a sawmill with un- roof, rolling porch, and other ine ap- by its namesakes: Alfons and Martha long, three-generation legacy that has
heard of capacity, where more than 60 pointments speak of the ine taste and Agather. Alfons was born in Russia and carefully and adoringly cared for the
men could produce up to 500,000 board grand design – yet also bespeak tragedy.
had served the imperial guard of Czar home. Present-day owner, Nikki Sliter –
feet per day. While the working men had Nobody could have predicted what Nicholas there. As an immigrant in Ka- who used to tell her mom she would live
far more splinters than dollars in their would become of the Barber family lispell, Alfons worked as the cashier and in that house someday – actually does,
hands, the investors and managers had (save for those with tarot cards, gypsy later the president of the First National along with her husband Everit.

none of the former, and plenty more scarves, and the fortune of sheer coin- Bank of Kalispell, which even at that Nikki keeps this landmark home im-
of the latter (best measured in magni- cidence). Indeed, by 1917, there would be time was known as “the oldest bank in peccably well, especially during the holi-
tudes).
nothing left of the Barber family except the Flathead County.”
days when she adorns the home for Hal-
Successful management of such an for a house – all but empty except for With the roar of the early ‘20s, it loween, Christmas, even Valentine’s Day
operation yields empire-starting re- sorrowful memories and ine furniture, seemed that prosperity and good for- with decorations and lair.
wards, including a position in life to af- hardly used.
tune would prevail throughout the Nowadays, the home is a neighbor-
ford the inest of architects. After select- While the Barber family planned home, as initially planned – and there hood icon – a fun, family home festive-

ing a suitable lot, then along the desir- the front room for entertaining, it was would be plenty of fun and folly consid- ly decorated throughout the year (with
able outskirts of town, Barber commis- used more often as a quarantine for the ering the lock of children: Margaret, Ve- memories of tragedy tucked properly
sioned Marion Rifo – a Kalispell archi- sick and dying – eventually, the entire ronica, Alfons, Victor, and Max.
away in bookcases).
tect who formed an indelible impression family. It was a series of tragedies of the Yet tragedy would again strike unex- Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreci-
in local history (having also designed kind that saddens hearts and perplexes pectedly. Alfons died suddenly in 1929 ates history and architecture. You can
the Kalispell Grand Hotel, St. Matthew’s courts with paperwork and precedents.
(visiting a sawmill in Washington), bare- share ideas and historical facts with him
Church and other homes and buildings).
In the meantime, although deso- ly marking a decade living in the home.
at [email protected].
The towering chimneys, the steep
late, chilling, thrashing noises could be
The eventual circumstances of

FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson

What You Can Buy for About $150,000

NEXT WEEK: $200,000

HUNGRY HORSE
BIGFORK
KALISPELL
WHITEFISH
103 First St. E.
195 Bridge St.
4050 Highway 93 S.
470 Cougar

PRICE: $135,000
PRICE: $145,000
PRICE: $150,000
PRICE: $150,000
WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home
WHAT: One-bedroom, one-bath home
WHAT: Two-bedroom, one-bath home WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home

SQUARE FEET: 874
SQUARE FEET: 1,680
SQUARE FEET: 1,400
SQUARE FEET: 2,320
This completely remodeled home This home is zoned B-3 and is close to This home features two bedrooms and This home south of Whiteish features

features new sheetrock, wiring and Bigfork and all its amenities. It has lots one bath and sits on 2.37 acres. Chuck lots of space for the price. It has two
plumbing. It also has covered patios of possibilities, so don’t let it pass you Olson Real Estate
levels with separate entrances and sits
in the front and side yards. RE/MAX by. National Parks Realty
MLS #: 323043
on almost a half acre. Keller Williams
Mountain View
MLS #: 322999
Realty Northwest Montana

MLS #: 323101
MLS #: 322627

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.