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

Knight and Twining Block

Main Street Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

1. Knight and Twining Block Marker

Inscription. W. R. Twining, a Philadelphia construction superintendent newly arrived in Kalispell, collaborated with brother-in-law E. C. Knight on this brick business block in 1908. A reporter noted in June that “Jack Stahl, one of the swiftest men with a trowel ... is piling up the brick on rush orders for Knight and Twining’s new building.” Completed in September, the stylish new block featured decorative brickwork, highlighted in a central pediment bearing the initials “KandT.” Mrs. Annie Hunter managed the second-floor rooming house, whose sixteen furnished rooms boasted “steam heat, electric light, baths and all the comforts of civilization.” In 1916, noted photographer T. J. Hileman opened a first-floor studio, which operated until 1938. Hileman remodeled the storefront in 1936, installing polished Vermont granite trim. From 1838 to 1975, the building housed Alton Pearce’s drug store. Original accoutrements including a pressed metal ceiling, wainscoting, transomed doors, and steam radiators remain intact.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 48° 11.768′ N, 114° 18.756′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on South Main Street near 3rd Street East, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 237 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Temple (a few steps from this marker); Main Street Commercial Historic District (within shouting

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

2. Knight and Twining Block Marker

distance of this marker); Cry Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sauser-Mercord Building (about 400 feet away); Heller Building (about 400 feet away); Missoula Mercantile/Kalispell Mercantile (about 400 feet away); City Water Department (about 500 feet away); Brewery Saloon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalispell.

The K & T Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

3. The K & T Building

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 229 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.