Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Abe and Carrie Kaufman Residence
Northside Residential Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019
1. Abe and Carrie Kaufman Residence Marker
Inscription.
Abe and Carrie Kaufman Residence. Northside Residential Historic District. A dramatic living room fireplace, crystal chandelier, and boxed-beam dining room ceiling are among the original fixtures continuing to decorate the interior of the Abe and Carrie Kaufman residence. Neoclassical, Craftsman, and Victorian detailing combine in this two-and-one-half-story residence, whose exterior ornamentation includes elaborate wooden brackets beneath the eaves, stickwork in the gable ends, lead glass windows, and a large wraparound porch. Abe Kaufman arrived in Great Falls in the 1890s, joining his brother-in-law, merchant Nathan Wertheim, to operate a clothing store on Central Avenue. Among their competitors were Mose Kaufman (no direct relation) and Arge Nathan. All four men were members of an extended network of pioneering Jewish businessmen, whose access to capital and merchandise were instrumental to Montana's commercial development. Great Falls' promising business climate spelled prosperity, and Abe's economic success is evident in this showcase home, constructed in 1906. Arge Nathan's son Robert, who inherited the store his father founded, purchased the residence in 1923 when the Kaufmans moved to San Francisco. He lived here with his family into the 1940s.
A dramatic living room fireplace, crystal chandelier, and boxed-beam dining room ceiling are among the original fixtures continuing to decorate the interior of the Abe and Carrie Kaufman residence. Neoclassical, Craftsman, and Victorian detailing combine in this two-and-one-half-story residence, whose exterior ornamentation includes elaborate wooden brackets beneath the eaves, stickwork in the gable ends, lead glass windows, and a large wraparound porch. Abe Kaufman arrived in Great Falls in the 1890s, joining his brother-in-law, merchant Nathan Wertheim, to operate a clothing store on Central Avenue. Among their competitors were Mose Kaufman (no direct relation) and Arge Nathan. All four men were members of an extended network of pioneering Jewish businessmen, whose access to capital and merchandise were instrumental to Montana's commercial development. Great Falls' promising business climate spelled prosperity, and Abe's economic success is evident in this showcase home, constructed in 1906. Arge Nathan's son Robert, who inherited the store his father founded, purchased the residence in 1923 when the Kaufmans moved to San Francisco. He lived here with his family into the 1940s.
Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these
Location. 47° 30.587′ N, 111° 17.77′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker is on 4th Avenue North near 7th Street North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 617 4th Avenue North, Great Falls MT 59401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
