Essex in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2020
1. Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site Marker
Inscription.
Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site. . Essex, with its multi-tracked train yard, owes its existence to the Great Northern Railway. The steep grade on the west side of Marias Pass necessitated a train yard sufficient in size to allow "helper engines" to idle and wait for the heavy eastbound freights to assist them over the continental divide. Harsh winters required sizable work gangs to keep the tracks clear. In 1939, Great Northern officials authorized the construction of the Izaak Walton Inn to accommodate these crews. Today the Inn continues to serve rail crews and tourists with meals, rooms, photographs, tools, and memorabilia of the Glory Days of the Great Northern Railway.
Essex, with its multi-tracked train yard, owes its existence to the Great Northern Railway. The steep grade on the west side of Marias Pass necessitated a train yard sufficient in size to allow "helper engines" to idle and wait for the heavy eastbound freights to assist them over the continental divide. Harsh winters required sizable work gangs to keep the tracks clear. In 1939, Great Northern officials authorized the construction of the Izaak Walton Inn to accommodate these crews. Today the Inn continues to serve rail crews and tourists with meals, rooms, photographs, tools, and memorabilia of the Glory Days of the Great Northern Railway.
Location. 48° 16.956′ N, 113° 36.372′ W. Marker is in Essex, Montana, in Flathead County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Izaak Walton Inn Road, on the left when traveling east on U.S. 2. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Essex MT 59916, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Goat Lick (approx. 2.2 miles away).
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History of the Izaak Walton Inn -- Izaak Walton Inn. Essex, Montana is a small railroad town located 60 miles east of Kalispell Montana, and bordering Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness Area. But at one time, Glacier National Park was supposed to have a south entrance in Essex.
The Addison Miller Company banked on that when they contracted with the Great Northern Railroad to build and operate a hotel and lunchroom on railroad land. However, World War II threw a kink in plans and soon Essex went from future tourism hotspot to a trainyard in a spectacular location.(Submitted on November 29, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2020
2. Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2020
3. Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site Marker
Montana Office of Historic Preservation
4. Izaak Walton Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
