The Missoula Mercantile: The Store that Ran an Empire


Book Description

From its log cabin beginnings at a dusty crossroads in Montana Territory, the Missoula Mercantile grew to become the largest department store between Minneapolis and Seattle. Under the guidance of A.B. Hammond and C.H. McLeod and their policy of community involvement and customer satisfaction, the Merc became a household word in Montana, synonymous with square dealing. Join historian Minie Smith as she traces the story of a western institution, remembering everything from the Missoula Mercantile's hardware department, with its creaky wooden floors and drawers of nuts and bolts, to its ladies' apparel department, which offered a taste of the big city with silks, satins and velveteens. From horseshoes to hosieries, the Merc had what customers needed and knew what they wanted.




A Guide to Historic Missoula


Book Description

The sixth volume in the Montana Mainstreet series, A Guide to Historic Missoula points readers to the buildings, historic sites, and parks that act as monuments to Missoula's--and Montana's--history.




Report


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Report


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Historic Underground Missoula


Book Description

Much of Missoula's history lies beneath the surface. As in many Old West cities, cavernous underground tunnel systems purportedly hid countless nefarious activities, from clandestine prostitution and Chinese opium dens to booze running during Prohibition. These sordid tales captivate today's residents and beg questions about the city's furtive past. Did local elite gentlemen mask their carnal habits there? Did John Wayne really use the passageways to run personal errands unnoticed? Author and urban archaeologist Nikki Manning ventures below to reconcile oral history with archaeological data in a fascinating exploration of Missoula's subterranean labyrinths.




The Pacific Reporter


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A Guide to Historic Kalispell


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Founded in 1891 as a railroad town for the transcontinental Great Northern Railway, Kalispell, Montana, faced bitter disappointment when the railroad relocated its route to the north in 1904. Most towns suffering similar fates fell into decline - but not Kalispell, which had become Flathead County seat in 1894. Situated in the majestic Northern Rockies, the town thrived as the region's trade center and later became a gateway to Glacier National Park. As Kalispell grew and prospered, its streetscapes matured, and the town's historic center remains a vibrant part of the community. Discover Kalipsell's rich history and architectural heritage through this lively guide. (6 x 9, 84 pages, b&w photos, illustrations, maps)




A History of Montana


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Missoula


Book Description

Missoula began in 1860 as Hellgate Village, a trading post located about 4 miles west of what is now downtown. In 1864, the construction of a mill powered by water diverted from Rattlesnake Creek drew residents of Hellgate to the new town, and the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 assured Missoulas future. The establishment of the University of Montana led to growth on the south side of the Clark Fork River, and the timber industry drove the economy. Missoula has evolved into a trade, medical, educational, and governmental center of western Montana.




Historic Photos of Montana


Book Description

Montana is a land known for soaring vistas, towering peaks, and a rich heritage. The nearly 200 photographs in this collection celebrate the unique history of America’s fourth-largest state. Ride along as photographers document life on the state’s seven Indian reservations. Witness the birth, and sometimes death, of Montana’s rough-and-tumble cities. Drawn from national and regional collections, Historic Photos of Montana offers a window into a vibrant past. Whether taken atop a mountain in Glacier National Park, or on the banks of the Yellowstone River, these photos tell stories that celebrate the people of Big Sky Country. There are images of cowboys and loggers and miners, of course, but also of shopkeepers and schoolchildren, of politicians and housewives and other ordinary citizens who made their home in Montana. Sit back and enjoy the stories these photos tell, stories rich with the majesty, grandeur, and colorful history of the Treasure State.