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. 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.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Asian Americans • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 52.706′ N, 113° 59.735′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It 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.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lindsay Commission Company Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Northside Missoula Railroad Historic District (within shouting distance

426 North First Street West and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

2. 426 North First Street West and Marker

The marker, partly obscured, is on the porch to the left of the entrance.

of this marker); Keim Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taxidermist Shop and Warwick Apartments (about 600 feet away); John S. Johnston House (about 700 feet away); McIntosh House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 613 North Third Street West (approx. 0.2 miles away); 906 Worden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

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 399 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.