Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Elrod Residence
University Area Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022
1. Elrod Residence Marker
Inscription.
Elrod Residence. University Area Historic District. Intricate spindlework and turned columns on the wraparound porch decorate this Queen Anne style house. The northeast corner of the porch roof once supported stacked second- and third-story balconies, topped by a decorative turret. Montana botanist Morton Elrod and his wife Emma lived here from 1897 until their deaths, hers in 1938 and his in 1953. A scientific dynamo, Professor Elrod operated a weather station at the house until 1935. He almost lost his post at the university when he testified on behalf of Deer Lodge farmers suing the Anaconda Company because its Washoe smelter was damaging their crops and livestock. An outpouring of public support allowed him to retain his position. In 1899, he founded the Montana Biological Station on Flathead Lake, one of the first freshwater laboratories of its kind in the United States. The director of the American Bison Society, he also located the site for the National Bison Range in Moiese and, after Glacier National Park’s establishment in 1910, spent summers working as the park’s first naturalist. His many publications included Elrod's Guide and Book of Information of Glacier National Park 1924.
Intricate spindlework and turned columns on the wraparound porch decorate this Queen Anne style house. The northeast corner of the porch roof once supported stacked second- and third-story balconies, topped by a decorative turret. Montana botanist Morton Elrod and his wife Emma lived here from 1897 until their deaths, hers in 1938 and his in 1953. A scientific dynamo, Professor Elrod operated a weather station at the house until 1935. He almost lost his post at the university when he testified on behalf of Deer Lodge farmers suing the Anaconda Company because its Washoe smelter was damaging their crops and livestock. An outpouring of public support allowed him to retain his position. In 1899, he founded the Montana Biological Station on Flathead Lake, one of the first freshwater laboratories of its kind in the United States. The director of the American Bison Society, he also located the site for the National Bison Range in Moiese and, after Glacier National Park’s establishment in 1910, spent summers working as the park’s first naturalist. His many publications included Elrod's Guide and Book of Information of Glacier National Park 1924.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
Location. 46° 52.031′ N, 113° 59.841′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. Marker is on South 5th Street East near Gerald Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 South 5th Street East, Missoula MT 59801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is on the front porch to the left of the entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
