Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

T.E. Collins Mansion

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019

1. T.E. Collins Mansion Marker

Inscription. Irish-born Timothy Collins followed the gold stampedes to Montana but soon turned to law and politics. For a time in the 1870s he was the only attorney practicing in Meagher County. Elected to the territorial legislature several times, Collins was a Great Falls founder and introduced the bill creating Cascade County with the new town as county seat. He helped organize the First National Bank of Great Falls, built the first brick business block, and platted the west side residential district, building his own home here in 1891. Sited high enough for a commanding view of the city, it was one of the first homes constructed on the far side of the Missouri River. The Daily Tribune proudly noted that such a beautiful residence built in a young town “tells powerfully the story of the confidence men have in the city’s future.” Gables embellished with bargeboards and modillions of classical and oriental influence, a graceful veranda, paneled chimneys, bay windows, and covered porte cochere recall elegant Victorian sensibilities. Although stucco now covers the original brick façade, the striking asymmetry and varied

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details demanded of the Queen Anne style are beautifully intact. Originally equipped with both gas and electricity, hot and cold running water, and hot air and steam heat, the home was a model of modern convenience before such amenities were commonplace. Rich wood finishings of quartered oak, dark cherry, and ash invite guests to experience the elegance of times gone by.

Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 47° 30.596′ N, 111° 19.759′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. It is at the intersection of 2nd Avenue Northwest and 10th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1003 2nd Avenue Northwest, Great Falls MT 59404, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically

T.E. Collins Mansion and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019

2. T.E. Collins Mansion and Marker

The marker is on the veranda near the entrance.

entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cowboys Bar and Museum (approx. 0.6 miles away); Great Falls West Bank Historic District (approx. 0.6 miles away); William & Isabel Shea House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Depot (approx. one mile away); Great Falls Civic Center (approx. 1.1 miles away); New Park Hotel (approx. 1.1 miles away); Boyd House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Northside Residential Historic District (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

T.E. Collins Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019

3. T.E. Collins Mansion

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.