History talk explores the beginnings of Kalispell

The Northwest Montana Westerners, a local history group, explores the beginnings of Kalispell in a presentation Monday, Feb. 16.

Bruce Guthrie, who leads the Northwest Montana History Museum's popular downtown walking tour, will describe the birth of the town.

Kalispell was created in 1891 from virtually nothing. With the Great Northern Railway scheduled to enter the Flathead Valley, the Townsite Company and founder Charles Conrad bought 900 acres of farm land. The company began selling city lots in April of 1891. According to the Inter Lake, $400,000 worth was snatched up in days.

The town soon boasted major brick buildings, including the Conrad Bank, the Whipps building, and Henry Good's complex that included Montgomery Wards.

When the railroad main line moved to Whitefish in 1904, the town continued to grow. From 1900 to 1910, it doubled in size from 2,500 people to 5,000. It would take another 50 years to reach 10,000, Guthrie notes.

He will cover the unique stories behind individual buildings, including the original Glacier Park painting in the Eagle Store, now Rocky Mountain Outfitters. The Kalispell Mercantile has signature masonry work, and the McIntosh Opera House continued in business even after its stage burned in 1927.

Since moving to the Flathead in 1997, Guthrie has taught at Flathead High School, Flathead Valley Community College, and Jeddah International School in Saudi Arabia. Currently retired, he teaches at FVCC's Senior Institute.

The presentation is at the monthly meeting of the Northwest Montana Westerners, a local history group. It starts at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the museum, at 124 2nd Ave. East in Kalispell. Cost is $5 for the general public, with members and youths under 16 admitted free.