Kalispell in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Ford Residence
East Side Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2020
1. Ford Residence Marker
Inscription.
Ford Residence. East Side Historic District. Stockman and real estate developer James A. Ford arrived in Kalispell with the Great Northern Railway in 1891. In 1898, he built a two-story business block at the corner of First and Main. On the second floor was a rooming house, where he lived with his two sisters. In 1923, the siblings moved into this fine Craftsman style residence, where Ford made his home until his death in 1934. The stylish home provided the Fords with ample living space; among other amenities, each of the five bedrooms boasts a walk-in closet. The homes design closely resembles that of a mail-order house, “the Vincennes,” sold by Montgomery Ward and Co. Montgomery Ward was one of several companies that sold house plans and supplied precut lumber and other material for builders to quickly assemble on site. The Vincennes classic Craftsman style features include its wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails, bracketed cornices, multi-pane windows, and full-length front porch. Clustered columns supporting the broad porch beam provide the designs most striking feature, adding elegance and dignity to the inviting front facade.
Stockman and real estate developer James A. Ford arrived in Kalispell with the Great Northern Railway in 1891. In 1898, he built a two-story business block at the corner of First and Main. On the second floor was a rooming house, where he lived with his two sisters. In 1923, the siblings moved into this fine Craftsman style residence, where Ford made his home until his death in 1934. The stylish home provided the Fords with ample living space; among other amenities, each of the five bedrooms boasts a walk-in closet. The homes design closely resembles that of a mail-order house, “the Vincennes,” sold by Montgomery Ward and Co. Montgomery Ward was one of several companies that sold house plans and supplied precut lumber and other material for builders to quickly assemble on site. The Vincennes classic Craftsman style features include its wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails, bracketed cornices, multi-pane windows, and full-length front porch. Clustered columns supporting the broad porch beam provide the designs most striking feature, adding elegance and dignity to the inviting front facade.
Location. 48° 11.496′ N, 114° 18.583′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on 1st Avenue East near 7th Street East, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 728 1st 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leslie-Dodge House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bardon House (within shouting
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
