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

Ragsdale House

East Side Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2020

1. Ragsdale House Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1909 for blacksmith Howard Ragsdale, this cozy hipped-roof bungalow features a molded concrete block basement, narrow-reveal clapboard siding, and a small integrated porch. Its wide overhanging eaves and exposed rafter tails reflect the popular Craftsman style. Pharmacist William F. Halliday purchased the property in 1917. Halliday owned the Red Cross Pharmacy, which according to the 1910 Daily Interlake stocked "drugs, chemicals, patent medicines and … [a] hundred and one fancy toilet articles." A "modern, sanitary soda fountain" lured customers into the shop, which also sold Havana cigars, choice confections, books, stationery, and office supplies. By 1920 traveling salesman James Forter and his wife Lorinda had purchased the home. After renting it to widow Mary Richie and her daughters, Jennie (a schoolteacher) and Elizabeth (a librarian), the Forters lived here from 1922 to 1928. Percy and Audrey Metzner, owners of Metzner's Furniture Exchange, then purchased the residence, valued at $4,500 in 1930 (equivalent to approximately $56,000 in 2007). Later owners included R. Burt Johnson, chief clerk of Mountain

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

State Power, and his wife Lucille, who lived here from 1940 to 1972.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 48° 11.457′ N, 114° 18.449′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on 2nd Avenue East near 9th Street East, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 825 2nd Avenue East, 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

Ragsdale House and Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2020

2. Ragsdale House and Marker

Flathead beacon website entry
Click for more information.

distance of this marker: Alward House (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Good Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kolle/Sherman House (about 300 feet away); Stuart House (about 400 feet away); J.E. Rockwood House (about 400 feet away); Fry House (about 400 feet away); Bardon House (about 400 feet away); Simpson House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalispell.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.