Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Randolph Hoyt House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
1. Randolph Hoyt House Marker
Inscription.
Randolph Hoyt House. . On Christmas Day of 1914 the Sanders County Ledger reported that “…no town in western Montana … has advanced with the same rapid strides as Thompson Falls.” Indeed, the town possessed all the modern trappings: new streetlights illuminated the courthouse, the Mountain State Telephone Company provided phone service, and a skating rink and two motion picture theaters had recently opened. That same year successful businessman Randolph Hoyt, co-proprietor of the Thompson and Ward Hotels, had this spacious Bungalow style home built. The residence was likely designed by prolific builder Charles Doenges, although he left the community after 1913. Doenges’ pattern book Bungalows distinctly mark the town’s residential neighborhoods; Hoyt’s residence was the last of a series of such dwellings built within the city limits. The lovely wood-frame home features a full-width porch supported by square columns, narrow clapboard siding, and a hipped roof with exposed rafter ends typical of the style. The bay window is an adaptation of a Victorian period motif and clearly demonstrates Doenges' influence. Beautiful leaded glass windows complete this charming portrait of early-twentieth-century elegance in a progressive western town.
On Christmas Day of 1914 the Sanders County Ledger reported that “…no town in western Montana … has advanced with the same rapid strides as Thompson Falls.” Indeed, the town possessed all the modern trappings: new streetlights illuminated the courthouse, the Mountain State Telephone Company provided phone service, and a skating rink and two motion picture theaters had recently opened. That same year successful businessman Randolph Hoyt, co-proprietor of the Thompson and Ward Hotels, had this spacious Bungalow style home built. The residence was likely designed by prolific builder Charles Doenges, although he left the community after 1913. Doenges’ pattern book Bungalows distinctly mark the town’s residential neighborhoods; Hoyt’s residence was the last of a series of such dwellings built within the city limits. The lovely wood-frame home features a full-width porch supported by square columns, narrow clapboard siding, and a hipped roof with exposed rafter ends typical of the style. The bay window is an adaptation of a Victorian period motif and clearly demonstrates Doenges' influence. Beautiful leaded glass windows complete this charming portrait of early-twentieth-century elegance in a progressive western town.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings
Location. 47° 35.856′ N, 115° 21.085′ W. Marker is in Thompson Falls, Montana, in Sanders County. Marker is on North Gallatin Street near West Odgen Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 North Gallatin Street, Thompson Falls MT 59873, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.