Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
426 North First Street West
Northside Missoula Railroad Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019
1. 426 North First Street West Marker
Inscription.
426 North First Street West. Northside Missoula Railroad Historic District. One hundred thirty-seven Missoulians, mostly railroad workers, lived in the Ross House, a large hotel complex that occupied half this block in 1890. Ten years later, a covered walkway still connected the two-story wooden building on this site, home to white day laborers and their families, with the next-door boarding house for Japanese railroad section men. The block lost its large boarding houses between 1902 and 1909, but it retained its working-class character and connection to the railroad. By that year, Northern Pacific engineer Arthur Rogers and his sister Marguerite lived in this wood-framed residence, constructed after the boarding houses were demolished. Frank Pfau, who worked as a packer for the Northern Flour Mill, lived here throughout the 1930s with his wife Katie and their nine children. The hipped-roof house, which boasts a large front gable, is more elaborate than many in the neighborhood. Turned porch supports and crown casing over the gable window are among the home’s Queen Anne style details.
One hundred thirty-seven Missoulians—mostly railroad workers—lived in the Ross House, a large hotel complex that occupied half this block in 1890. Ten years later, a covered walkway still connected the two-story wooden building on this site—home to white day laborers and their families—with the next-door boarding house for Japanese railroad section men. The block lost its large boarding houses between 1902 and 1909, but it retained its working-class character and connection to the railroad. By that year, Northern Pacific engineer Arthur Rogers and his sister Marguerite lived in this wood-framed residence, constructed after the boarding houses were demolished. Frank Pfau, who worked as a packer for the Northern Flour Mill, lived here throughout the 1930s with his wife Katie and their nine children. The hipped-roof house, which boasts a large front gable, is more elaborate than many in the neighborhood. Turned porch supports and crown casing over the gable window are among the home’s Queen Anne style details.
Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.
Location. 46° 52.706′ N, 113° 59.735′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. Marker is on North First Street West near Grand Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 426 North First Street West, Missoula MT 59802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker, partly obscured, is on the porch to the left of the entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
