Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Beacom Residence

University Area Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. Beacom Residence Marker

Inscription. Bay windows and a two-story front porch dress up this home’s basic “four-square” pattern. Stately American Four-Squares—marked by their pyramidal roofs, overhanging eaves, and cubical shapes—were extremely popular with middle-class suburbanites in the early 1900s. William Beacom and his wife Jennie likely built this home between 1902 and 1905 in what was then an up-and-coming suburb. Fifth Street residents formed an early neighborhood improvement association to lobby for graded streets, cement sidewalks, and uniform landscaping. Cement sidewalks—many of which were installed in 1909—would have been of particular interest to William, as he made his living as a cement contractor. In 1922, he ran for mayor of Missoula, a post he held (with the exception of one term) until 1932. William died in 1939, at the age of seventy-eight. Jennie continued to live here—along with various nieces and nephews—until her death at age ninety-four in 1966.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

series list.

Location. 46° 52.056′ N, 113° 59.99′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is at the intersection of South 5th Street East and South Higgins Avenue, on the right when traveling west on South 5th Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 South 5th Street East, Missoula MT 59801, 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 distance of this marker: Milwaukee Depot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elrod Residence (about 600 feet away); Charles E. Johnson Residence (about 800 feet away); Parsons House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northwest Passage (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Shortcut

Beacom Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. Beacom Residence and Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Name That River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southside Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Beacom Residence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

3. Beacom Residence

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.