Essex in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Izaak Walton Inn

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2024

1. Izaak Walton Inn Marker

The marker was hidden behind a stack of boxes.

Inscription. The Izaak Walton Inn symbolizes the difficulty of keeping the United States’ northernmost transcontinental railroad open during Rocky Mountain winters. Each winter, sixty Great Northern Railway workers were stationed here to clear the rails of snow between Essex and East Glacier. Originally, their days of fighting snow and frequent avalanches ended with a return to abandoned railcars and wall tents, for Essex had only 150 permanent residents and nowhere for the workers to board. After numerous petitions, the Great Northern built this twenty-nine-bedroom structure in 1939, on its standard pattern for a division hotel. Railroad policy called for only a section house at a location other than division point, but the difficult winter maintenance of Marias Pass required changing the rule. The railroad also realized that the hostelry could serve summertime tourists, when fewer railhands needed lodging. Naming it for the renowned English fisherman underlined their intended double use. This Craftsman-style inn has been in continuous use since its construction and, to this day, serves both railroad workers and tourists.

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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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 48° 16.712′ N, 113° 36.706′ W. Marker is in Essex, Montana, in Flathead County. It is on Izaak Walton Inn Road near U.S. 2, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 290 Izaak Walton Inn Road, Essex MT 59916, 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 2 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Izaak Walton Inn Historic Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Goat Lick (approx. 2.2 miles away).

Also see . . . Izaak Walton Inn -- Resorts and Lodges.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2024

2. Izaak Walton Inn Marker

The marker is behind the boxes on the left.

The Izaak Walton Inn & Resort is a magnificent, family-owned retreat bordering Glacier National Park. Year round activities for any age keep you entertained for days on end! Enjoy cross-country skiing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and boating excursions!... Or, if you are daring, choose a unique accommodation and stay in one of the caboose cars! (Submitted on August 12, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Izaak Walton Inn from the railroad tracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2024

3. Izaak Walton Inn from the railroad tracks

Historical interior photograph of the Izaak Walton Inn image. Click for full size.

Montana Historical Society

4. Historical interior photograph of the Izaak Walton Inn

Montana Historical Society

5. Historical interior photograph of the Izaak Walton Inn

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.