Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Ward Hotel
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2015
1. Ward Hotel Marker
Edward Donlan, who built this building as the Ward Hotel in 1907-1908, was significant in Thompson Falls history. At age twelve, the Canadian boy of Irish descent left home and went to work. Laying track south of Neihart brought him to Montana, where by 1895 he owned a saw mill in the timber camps. In the early 1900s, he extended his holdings here, with vast tracts to the west and east of town, and many town lots. He also started the Thompson Falls Mercantile Company. Politics was a second love for Donlan, elected state senator in 1902, 1906, 1910, and 1918. In his 1908 bid for governor, he lost by only 2,000 votes. He heartily joined the battle to make Thompson Falls the county seat of Sanders County, and saw a boom period ushered in with that victory. He interested investors in the Thompson Falls Power Company — owning, himself, several small dams on the Clark’s Fork River. In 1913-1914, he moved on to Milltown and sold much of his property here. His fortune dissipated, Donlan died in 1952.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 47° 35.669′ N, 115° 20.884′ W. Marker is in Thompson Falls, Montana, in Sanders
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ainsworth House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sanders County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bedard House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Weber's Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Thompson Playground (approx. ¼ mile away); Randolph Hoyt House (approx. ¼ mile away); 102 Park Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Dam District (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thompson Falls.
More about this marker. Marker is a large, framed, laser-printed metal plaque.
Regarding Ward Hotel. National Register of Historic Places #86002769 (1986). The brick building appears to be in good condition, but seems to be abandoned as of 8/2015.
Also see . . . Ward Hotel. National Register of Historic Places digital asset:
Nomination #86002769A. The 1984 review assessed it as "clearly the most substantial commercial building remaining in the downtown business district
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2015
2. Ward Hotel Marker (wide view; marker visible at corner of building, facing Main Street)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2015
3. Ward Hotel / Black Bear Hotel (northeast corner view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2015
4. Ward Hotel / Black Bear Hotel (front view from West Main Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
