Page 40 - Flathead Beacon // 12.4.13

40 | DECEMBER 4, 2013
REAL ESTATE
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

LANDMARKS
445 Fifth Ave. E., Kalispell
Phillips House

president of Manion Motors. And so continued the lin-
By JAIX CHAIX
eage of home ownership by presidents of auto dealer-

The house at 445 Fifth Ave. E. has several charac- ships. That is, at least until 1956, when the Manions
teristics that deine Kalispell neighborhoods – in a way sold the home.
that may seem deceiving, and distorted by time.
Aside from being owned by auto dealers, the house
Originally, a small wooden residence stood at the was home to their families, and frequently open to rel-
back of this corner lot. In 1910, ire destroyed the wood- atives and guests, as both men and their wives were
en structure and the lot remained empty for the better quite active in community and civic organizations.
part of three decades, as sometimes happens when ca- Inside and out, this home was a ine adaptation of

lamity strikes.
the Tudor Revival style, yet on a smaller scale. Obvious
Sometimes it takes a calamity of greater proportion exterior elements of the Tudor Revival style, which was
to make any progress happen. And in this case, wide- quite popular in Kalispell at the time, include the stuc-
spread drought and economic depression of the 1930s co siding, the tabbed archway and recessed front door,
caused many people to seek refuge in Kalispell. At and the decorative shutters, just to name a few.
the time, Kalispell and surrounding areas were faring PHOTO BY JAIX CHAIX
Today, the home is fortunately well maintained
comparatively well – well enough to even say that Ka- with a tiled roof and other elements that nod to its orig-
lispell had a building “bang” (not quite enough to prop- The late 1930s was a time of transition (from hard- inal style. And style it had, as it was one of the iner ones

erly call it a “boom”) during the 1930s.
ship to hope and not much beyond). It was a time when built in its day – a time when “rent houses” were less
Consequently those moving to the area found times the “haves” could perhaps aford the $695 price tag for stylish and more typical.
somewhat easier to endure, and some even found proit. a new 1936 Dodge Rumble Seat Coupe – along with the While it may seem modest now, if not unremark-
It took a bit of both – populace and proit – to transform 6 percent interest typical of most inancing arrange- able to some, the house was actually quite indulgent
what was once an overgrown, eyesore lot into a desir- ments of the day.
for its day, proving that sometimes truly appreciating
able home inspired by the vogue, Tudor Revival home.
Phillips established the auto dealership bearing his an historic home takes a bit of discerning “this is now”
Like other Depression-era settlers, Leon and Ella name, Phillips-Wohlwend Motors, at 412 Main St. (re- from “what was then.”

Phillips came to Kalispell in the early 1930s. Leon membered by some as Big Valley Dodge; and soon to be
brought with him vast experience in the automotive home to the Kalispell Brewing Company). The location
business. He worked throughout the borders and cor- has long been known as an auto dealership, from the Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and
ners of Montana as a mechanic, salesman and dealer. day Phillips founded the company and for the better architecture. You can share ideas and historical facts
After several successful years, he became president of part of nearly four decades.
with him at [email protected]. Also visit
Phillips-Wohlwend Motors, and built this home as his Yet while his business legacy lasted decades, the facebook.com/latheadvalleylandmarks
family residence, which was more or less completed in Phillips family lived in the home for barely four years.
1938.
In 1942, they sold the home to Virgil Manion, then

FLOOR SPACE By Georgia Christianson

What You Can Buy for About $200,000

NEXT WEEK: $250,000

WHITEFISH
COLUMBIA FALLS
KALISPELL
BIGFORK

4855 Star Meadow Rd.
11 Council Blufs Dr.
1114 Seventh Ave. E.
19650 MT 35

PRICE: $189,000
PRICE: $199,000
PRICE: $199,900
PRICE: $200,000
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home
WHAT: Three-bedroom, two-bath home
WHAT: Four-bedroom, two-bath home WHAT: Five-bedroom, three-bath home

SQUARE FEET: 2,394
SQUARE FEET: 1,800
SQUARE FEET: 1,824
SQUARE FEET: 2,711
Enjoy spectacular views from this log Enjoy mountain views from this home This home is in a great eastside loca- Enjoy beautiful Flathead Lake views
home within minutes of hunting, ish- with nice updates. It has a large fenced tion. It has Trex decking, new roof, from this home with an expansive

ing and lakes. Grow your own food in backyard, two ireplaces, spacious furnace and hot water heater. It also deck. The lower level features a one-
the greenhouse. Dean & Leininger of kitchen and double garage. Dean & has a large fenced backyard and hot bedroom apartment. The property has
Kalispell
Leininger of Kalispell
water heater. Montana Real Estate fruit trees and a garden area. Flathead
MLS #: 323575
MLS #: 322553
Partners, LLC
Land & Home

MLS #: 323588
MLS #: 323636

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 Call Georgia, a certiied residential specialist for a free one-hour consultation.
Beacon staf and Georgia Christianson, Montana Brokers.