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

Arvon Block

Great Falls Central Business Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019

1. Arvon Block Marker

Inscription. During the busy 1890s, Great Falls’ business district swarmed with activity. City boosters such as pioneer rancher Robert Vaughn expressed confidence in the town’s future by investing in commercial real estate. Vaughn commissioned an unknown designer to create this unusual combination stable and hotel. The Axtell Stables occupied the western portion of this splendid 1890 Renaissance-inspired building. Montana’s most complete livery stable provided passenger, express, draying, and transfer services. While basement stalls accommodated fifty-eight horses, ground-floor harness and carriage showrooms displayed the newest equipment. Stable hands shared second-floor sleeping quarters with huge hay chutes that ran to the basement. On the east, a three-story boardinghouse boasted forty rooms for offices and lodgings. The Derrig Fruit Company had moved into the main floor area below the hotel by 1895, and in that year, the company paid out over $76,000 in freight charges alone. Shipped by rail to the station a block away, the goods were no doubt then delivered to Derrig’s by Axtell’s wagons. One of few local Victorian-era commercial

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structures to have escaped natural and manmade destruction, this “grand old survivor” recalls the necessity of horse-drawn services before the advent of the automobile.

Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 47° 30.247′ N, 111° 18.296′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. It is on 1st Avenue South near 2nd Street South, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114-118 1st Avenue South, Great Falls MT 59401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically 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.

Arvon Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019

2. Arvon Block and Marker

The maker is near the left end of the street railing.

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 walking distance of this marker: Murphy Maclay Hardware Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Park Hotel (about 500 feet away); Great Falls Civic Center (about 500 feet away); Liberty Theatre (about 700 feet away); Bus Depot and Garage (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Nibbles" (approx. 0.2 miles away); S.H. Kress and Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Depot (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

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 467 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.