Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Weber's Store

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022

1. Weber's Store Marker

Inscription. Thompson Falls enjoyed a growth spurt and a new sense of stability at the dawn of the twentieth century, underscored by the construction of several substantial brick buildings. Charles Weber’s general mercantile store was the town’s second building constructed of locally manufactured masonry. Built between 1900 and 1903, its dual residential/commercial function and simple design typify the utilitarian architecture of small western towns of the period. A continuous band of inlaid fleur-de-lis below the roofline supplies the only adornment. In 1906, Weber built the cold air well and storehouse at the rear of the building. It is the town’s last remaining commercial evidence of a unique natural phenomenon tapped by early settlers. In digging wells for water, currents of icy air ranging from 55 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit were discovered issuing from a porous layer of gravel at a depth of thirty to forty feet. Eventually nearly every business owner made use of this resource, building an insulated shed over a cold air shaft for the storage of perishable goods. The system worked until modern technology stepped in: backwater from

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the hydroelectric dam, built less than a decade later, blocked the cold air currents. From the early 1900s to 1917, Weber’s service as postmaster made the store a place visited daily. The store continued to play a key role in the economic life of the community until Weber’s death in 1940.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 47° 35.619′ N, 115° 20.64′ W. Marker is in Thompson Falls, Montana, in Sanders County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and Mill Street on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 West Main Street, Thompson Falls MT 59873, 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,

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022

2. Weber's Store Marker

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: Fort Thompson Playground (within shouting distance of this marker); Ward Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bedard House (approx. ¼ mile away); Ainsworth House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sanders County Jail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Randolph Hoyt House (approx. 0.4 miles away); 102 Park Street (approx. half a mile away); Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Dam District (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thompson Falls.

Weber's Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022

3. Weber's Store

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.