Kalispell in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Sauser-Mercord Building
Kalispell Main Street Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020
1. Sauser-Mercord Building Marker
Inscription.
Sauser-Mercord Building. Kalispell Main Street Historic District. A unified second-story fa็ade with distinct first-floor storefronts reflects the unique history of this business block. George McMahon paid $4,000 to have the buildings southern (left) half constructed in 1901 for his undertaking business. McMahon was one of the first coroners in Kalispell, and like most early undertakers, he had multiple businesses. McMahon sold his business to trained undertaker and embalmer William Sherman in 1903. William sold pianos as well as conducting his mortuary business on the first floor and used the basement as an embalming room. Wife and business partner Nora and their seven children lived on the second floor. After William died, Nora continued the business. In 1920, she became one of the first licensed women undertakers in Montana. Realtor John Sauser hired Frederick Mercord to construct the northern storefront and second-story apartments in 1925. The southern fa็ade was likely remodeled at that time to create the appearance of a single, substantial business block. Although the two buildings share a common wall, no doors connect the two structures. Subsequent first-floor remodels include a recent extensive redesign of the north side storefront.
A unified second-story fa็ade with distinct first-floor storefronts reflects the unique history of this business block. George McMahon paid $4,000 to have the buildings southern (left) half constructed in 1901 for his undertaking business. McMahon was one of the first coroners in Kalispell, and like most early undertakers, he had multiple businesses. McMahon sold his business to trained undertaker and embalmer William Sherman in 1903. William sold pianos as well as conducting his mortuary business on the first floor and used the basement as an embalming room. Wife and business partner Nora and their seven children lived on the second floor. After William died, Nora continued the business. In 1920, she became one of the first licensed women undertakers in Montana. Realtor John Sauser hired Frederick Mercord to construct the northern storefront and second-story apartments in 1925. The southern fa็ade was likely remodeled at that time to create the appearance of a single, substantial business block. Although the two buildings share a common wall, no doors connect the two structures. Subsequent first-floor remodels include
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a recent extensive redesign of the north side storefront.
Location. 48° 11.71′ N, 114° 18.758′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on South Main Street near 3rd Street West, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 338 South Main Street, Kalispell MT 59901, 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 itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cry Building
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020
2. Sauser-Mercord Building and Marker
The marker is at the left side of the white fa็ade.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
