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

Heller Building

Main Street Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

1. Heller Building Marker

Inscription. Kalispell already boasted its fair share of saloons when August Heller opened this downtown establishment in 1900. Cream and mottled brick with a “reverse stair step” cornice—the hallmark of local brick masons Jack, Art, and Ed Stahl—made the Heller Saloon an impressive business. Heller traveled to Chicago for interior fittings, added a hot water boiler in 1902, Kalispell’s first cement sidewalk in 1904, and a Stubber’s gas lighting system in 1907. Spittoons on the floor, imported liquors, back room poker games, and rumors of loose women upstairs kept a rough-and-tumble clientele entertained. So famous was Heller’s Saloon that temperance crusading bar-smasher Carrie Nation delivered her gospel message in front of the building in 1910, exchanging heated words with proprietor Heller. During Prohibition, John Gus Thompson—Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher in the first World Series in 1903—moved his pool hall here. Later, the Pastime Bar offered fishing tackle, beer, tobacco, and hot meals. The Pastime closed in 1988. In 2005, a fire in an adjacent building prompted a complete restoration of the

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Heller building, which now accommodates commercial and office space.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 48° 11.824′ N, 114° 18.798′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on South Main Street near 2nd Street West, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 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

Heller Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

2. Heller Building and Marker

The marker is located in the entrance alcove above the black car.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brewery Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Kalispell Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); McIntosh Opera House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Knight and Twining Block (about 400 feet away); Missoula Mercantile/Kalispell Mercantile (about 400 feet away); Masonic Temple (about 400 feet away); Cry Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalispell.

Additional keywords. temperance

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 309 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.