Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

439 Connell Avenue

University Area Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2019

1. 439 Connell Avenue Marker

Inscription. Low-pitched gables, large sheltering eaves with decorative braces, and an inviting front porch supported by “battered” piers mark this circa 1916 residence as a Craftsman style home. Irene Risley, married to railroad supply salesman Dalton Risley, is the first known owner. While Irene was one of many women who owned property in Montana in the early twentieth century, female property ownership was not a straightforward reflection of women’s economic power. Under certain circumstances, married women’s property was protected from their husbands’ creditors, and families used this fact to protect their assets. When the Ripleys moved into this substantial, corner residence, they joined an elite, well-situated suburb. Three blocks to their west was the neighborhood's centerpiece, the luxurious Bonner Mansion (since demolished). Two blocks to their east was the university. By 1930, the Risleys had moved on. The house, then valued at $6,200 (approximately $81,000 in 2010 dollars) became home to train master Jacob Smith, his wife Ida, and their two children: Herbert and Rhea. Twenty-two-year-old Herbert worked installing telephones,

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while twenty-eight-year-old Rhea was a comptometer operator (a comptometer was an early type of business calculator).

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Women. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 46° 51.714′ N, 113° 59.466′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is on Connell Avenue near Helen Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 439 Connell Avenue, Missoula MT 59801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Glacier 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.

439 Connell Avenue Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2019

2. 439 Connell Avenue Residence and Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 425 Connell (within shouting distance of this marker); 415 Connell Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank A. Roberts Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John J. Lucy Home (about 500 feet away); 315 Daly (about 700 feet away); Corbin Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); 521 University Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); North Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 252 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.