Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
315 Fourth Avenue North
Great Falls Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019
1. 315 Fourth Avenue North Marker
Inscription.
315 Fourth Avenue North. Great Falls Historic District. Great Falls’ premier residential street, Fourth Avenue North, gained 24 new homes between 1900 and 1910. Among them was this substantial residence, constructed in 1904 for bookkeeper Edgar Newlon and his wife Anna. The home is a classic American foursquare, a style so named for its boxy shape. Like most foursquare residences, this dignified clapboard home is two-and-one-half stories and features a hipped roof with a centered dormer, a symmetrical façade, and a full-length front porch (now enclosed). The residence’s efficient use of space, a hallmark of the foursquare style, must have appealed to civil engineer Frank Scotten who, with his wife Lola, purchased the home in the early 1920s. Scotten came to Great Falls in 1889 and was said to know more about the town’s construction than any other resident. He supervised construction of several branch railroads, the city’s streetcar lines and street lighting system, two smelters, and the four hydroelectric dams that gave meaning to the moniker “the Electric City.” An engaged philanthropist, he also founded a local Community Chest, a forerunner to the United Way.
Great Falls’ premier residential street, Fourth Avenue North, gained 24 new homes between 1900 and 1910. Among them was this substantial residence, constructed in 1904 for bookkeeper Edgar Newlon and his wife Anna. The home is a classic American foursquare, a style so named for its boxy shape. Like most foursquare residences, this dignified clapboard home is two-and-one-half stories and features a hipped roof with a centered dormer, a symmetrical façade, and a full-length front porch (now enclosed). The residence’s efficient use of space—a hallmark of the foursquare style—must have appealed to civil engineer Frank Scotten who, with his wife Lola, purchased the home in the early 1920s. Scotten came to Great Falls in 1889 and was said to know more about the town’s construction than any other resident. He supervised construction of several branch railroads, the city’s streetcar lines and street lighting system, two smelters, and the four hydroelectric dams that gave meaning to the moniker “the Electric City.” An engaged philanthropist, he also founded a local Community Chest—a forerunner to the United Way.
Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 47° 30.588′ N, 111° 18.098′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker is on 4th Avenue North near 4th Street North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 4th Avenue West, 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 26, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
