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
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.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 48° 16.956′ N, 113° 36.372′ W. Marker is in Essex, Montana, in Flathead County. It 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
this page online
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 2 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Izaak Walton Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Goat Lick (approx. 2.2 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Izaak Walton Inn. Historic Montana website entry (Submitted on May 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Izaak Walton Inn. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places nomination Form (Submitted on May 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
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 May 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
