Hori Cafe Building
(Block 36; Lots 8,9 & 10)
— Historical Walking Tour of Whitefish, Montana —
This Whitefish landmark has a long and colorful history, centering around the Japanese immigrant, M.M. Hori, who had come to the Flathead Valley as a house-boy for the family of Charles Conrad, a major figure in the founding of Kalispell. Conrad gave Hori 10 acres of Whitefish land, and he soon became a successful truck farmer, Hori opened a cafe and bakery in the north part of this building in the early 20th Century, and in 1918, he bought what was then called the Northern Hotel just to the south.
Hori made extensive improvements to the buildings and operated the Hori Cafe and Hotel until his death in 1931; his wife continued operating it until it was leased to C.C.C. Smith in 1942. Smith's business closed after only a couple of months and the building remained empty until Jack Erinton bought it at a court sale in 1944 and reopened it as The Palm Hotel, leasing its operation to longtime residents Mr. and. Mrs. R.H. Mackey. In 1946, the cafe section was converted into a store, later occupied by several small, short-lived businesses.
Local businessman Jack Sesler and his family purchased the building in the late 1970's, cleaned it up and renamed it The Remington, with a fine-dining restaurant called Frederic's. The building has had a succession of owners since the Seslers sold it in the mid-80's. It entered the 21st
this page online
Erected by Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Community Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 48° 24.659′ N, 114° 20.215′ W. Marker is in Whitefish, Montana, in Flathead County. Marker is on Central Avenue near East 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Central Avenue, Whitefish MT 59937, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pastime Pool Hall (a few steps from this marker); Haines Drugs (within shouting distance of this marker); Palace Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); Robinson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Site of 1st National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Orpheum Theatre Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Casey's Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); Cadillac Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitefish.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
