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

The Atlantic Hotel

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

1. The Atlantic Hotel Marker

Inscription. The construction of the Milwaukee Road and the reconstruction of the Northern Pacific Railroad through Missoula sparked a second railroad-era building boom in the early twentieth century. The need for accommodations for both railroad workers and passengers occasioned the construction of several hotels at the city’s north end near the depot. The Atlantic Hotel was one such establishment, designed by Missoula’s most celebrated turn-of-the- twentieth-century architect, A. J. Gibson. Completed in 1902, the ground floor included a barber shop, saloon, and restaurant with the “best meals in the city.” Patrons could secure lodging on the two upper floors for seventy-five cents and up. Commercial façades often received more architectural attention than a building’s sides and back, and these differences often reveal stylistic changes. The hotel’s façade reflects twentieth-century tastes with its fine high-fire polychrome brick detailing, flat window heads, and elaborate molded metal cornice. The rest of the building exhibits more traditional construction of low-fire bricks and arched window design carried over from the

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previous century. Original signs adorning its side further enhance the historic charm of this well-preserved, turn- of-the-twentieth-century landmark.

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and the Montana National Register Sign Program series lists.

Location. 46° 52.48′ N, 113° 59.56′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is on North Higgins Avenue near West Alder Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 519 North Higgins Avenue, 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

The Atlantic Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

2. The Atlantic Hotel and Marker

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: Apartment Building at 116 West Spruce (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northern Pacific Railroad Depot (about 300 feet away); Missoula Laundry Company (about 400 feet away); Missoula County War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Missoula County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Palace Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dixon-Duncan Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federal Building & United States Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

The Atlantic Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

3. The Atlantic Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.