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

Swift Building

University Area Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. Swift Building Marker

Inscription. Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad administrators envisioned a bustling warehouse district paralleling its spur line along South Fourth St. East. That district never materialized, but by 1912, the warehouse stood here, kitty-corner to the freight depot. The Swift Co., a national meat processor, occupied the solid brick structure from 1913 into the 1920s. The company shipped freight cars full of meat and meat byproducts (including soap, glue, and fertilizer) from its Chicago processing plants to warehouses like this one across the country. Designed to hold heavy loads, the warehouse relied on massive timbers and rebar-reinforced brick walls to bear the weight of the stored freight. The architectural format is typical masonry construction and exhibits a craftsman's flair in the raised brick accents (quoins) at the corners. Two large front openings (now window bays) once served as loading docks, reflecting the building's original function. After 1927, Blair Transfer and Storage occupied the warehouse into the 1960s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 46° 51.954′ N, 113° 59.604′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is in the University Area. It is on South 4th Street East near Gerald Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 South 4th 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: Dildine House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John E. Patterson Home (about 300 feet

Swift Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. Swift Building and Marker

away); 302 South Sixth Street East (about 600 feet away); Parsons House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles E. Johnson Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Church of the Holy Spirit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Patterson Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); John J. Lucy Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Swift Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

3. Swift Building

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 27, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.