Kalispell in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Morgan House

East Side Historic District

By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

1. Morgan House Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Following new towns that sprang up across Montana, architect Franklin M. Morgan left a trail of buildings he helped construct from Billings to Miles City and Great Falls. Many were the first buildings in these fledgling communities. Morgan moved on to Demersville in 1891 as that settlement was relocating to the new town of Kalispell. Little of Morgan’s work remains, but his own Kalispell residence designed and constructed in 1892 is a fascinating study in change. Originally a striking Queen Anne style home, owner William Macdonald hired Henry Hansman to remodel the exterior in 1924. The dramatic emergence from the Queen Anne style to Colonial Revival included alteration of the cross-gabled roof to clipped gable, squaring the original floorplan to make it more symmetrical and the addition of classical details including Tuscan columns and circular windows. The transformation was almost complete, except for the remaining two-story canted bay on the east which betrays the Queen Anne origins of this significant home.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

Morgan House and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

2. Morgan House and Marker

The marker is on the right beside the sidewalk.

in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 48° 11.789′ N, 114° 18.226′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. Marker is on 6th Avenue East near 4th Street East, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 344 6th Avenue East, Kalispell MT 59901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Griffith/Conrad House (within shouting distance of this marker); Conrad/Tobie House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Conrad/Tobie House (within shouting distance of this marker); Weberg House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anderson House (about 300 feet away); Brintnall House (about 300 feet away); McKeown/Braunberger House (about 300 feet away); Conrad Mansion (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalispell.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 33 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.