Cadillac Hotel
(Block 27; Lots 1 & 2)
— Historical Walking Tour of Whitefish, Montana —
For most of the 20th century, this corner was the site of the Cadillac Hotel. The Cadillac was not the first hotel in town; that distinction went to the Dodge Hotel, on Central Avenue between First and Second Streets. But with its proximity to the railroad depot, the three-story Cadillac, built in 1907, became a popular hostelry, catering not only to railroaders and passengers but to denizens of Central Avenue bars and gambling places.
In 1922, J.J. Cremans built the New Cadillac Hotel, above right, which was to stand for the nest 72 years. Owners through there years included John Bender, Dick and Martha Zerr, and later their son Jack, three skiers, Nancy Montgomery, Bob Cavill and Jack Tidyman. and Mel and Evelun Stenslie. The Cadillac Bar, which adjoined the hotel rooms on the south, was a town gathering place; an organist there for a short time at mid-century was Joan Smith, who later became Mrs. Ray Kroc, wife of the McDonald's magnate and well-known philanthropist.
The bar and restaurant was rechristened the Hanging Tree in the 1960s, after the book of the same name by author Dorothy Johnson, who was a resident of Whitefish. The hotel, suffering the effects of old age and disuse, eventually was closed. In 1994, the old brick building was demolished to make way for construction of a modern brewery, the Great Northern
Brewing Co. The bar and restaurant later became the Glacier Grande, the Serano's and then Paddle & Axe. In 2006 under new ownership of Bill Foley, it reopened as Craggy Range Bar & Grill.Erected by Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Community Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Women.
Location. 48° 24.729′ N, 114° 20.213′ W. Marker is in Whitefish, Montana, in Flathead County. Marker is on Central Avenue near Railway Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 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. Casey's Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); Palace Bar (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hori Cafe Building (about 400 feet away); Pastime Pool Hall (about 500 feet away); Robinson Building (about 500 feet away); Haines Drugs (about 500 feet away); Great Northern Railway Passenger and Freight Depot and Division Office (about 600 feet away); Former Site of 1st National Bank Building (about 600 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 551 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.