Former Site of 1st National Bank Building
(Block 44; Lots 1 & 2)
— Historical Walking Tour of Whitefish, Montana —
When the two-story 1st National Bank of Whitefish building was erected in 1910, the Whitefish Pilot declared in the headline: "Stability of Town Firmly Established."
The bank had been organized in 1907 with capital stock of $25,000. Its building, designed by a Kalispell architect, was constructed of brick manufactured by P.J. Hoffman & Sons of Whitefish. The structure complied with a new city ordinance requiring all downtown buildings to be fireproof.
And so it remained until, ironically, the building was all but destroyed by an early-morning fire in October, 1992. By that time, it no longer housed the 1st National which had moved into a new building a block to the west in 1974. Whitefish contractor Gary Tallman had purchased the old building and remodeled it into business condominiums. Tenants of the condominiums at the time of the fire included a law firm, a surveyor's office, a dental office and a business that fashioned false teeth.
Determining that the fire-ravaged building could not be salvaged, the law firm, Hedman, Hileman & Lacosta, bought the land from the other condo owners and built the present office building, which was designed by architect John Constenius and was constructed by Swank Enterprises of Kalispell. It was completed in January 1994.
Erected by
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine.
Location. 48° 24.63′ N, 114° 20.215′ W. Marker is in Whitefish, Montana, in Flathead County. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue and East 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 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. Orpheum Theatre Building (a few steps from this marker); Haines Drugs (within shouting distance of this marker); Pastime Pool Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Robinson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Hori Cafe Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Palace Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church of Whitefish (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casey's Bar (about 400 feet away). 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 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
