About Missoula's Downtown

Missoula Architecture & History - The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot on Higgins Ave.

Missoula has some beautiful buildings in our downtown area, and many have historical signficance as well. One of my favorites is the Northern Pacific Depot building located at the north end of Higgins Avenue.

The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1901 by the nationally recognized firm of Reed and Stem of St. Paul, Minnesota. This depot is one of four that the firm designed in Montana. The building is a long, rectangular brick structure with one story wings on the east and west side of the building. It is said to represent a "simplified version of Renaissance Revival Style".*

The exterior of the building is decorated with four urns with the distinctive Norther Pacific symbol of the yin-yang.

Northern Pacific Depot Construction Controversy

The building of the depot was quite controversial at the time and became the topic for dispute between two prominent Missoula families, and eventually the entire community.

The Urlin family donated land to help bring Northern Pacific to Missoula. The family didn't intend for the Depot to be constructed where it is because it would block access to their ranch. However, the Higgins family felt that a depot at the end of Higgins Avenue offered an "appropriate level of grandeur.

The Urlin family protested the construction of the building along with other resident's from Missoula's north side. To emphasize their point, the initial wood frame of the building was burned to the ground by arsonists.

Today, the Norther Pacific Depot is used for office space for local Missoula businesses. It is also the site for the Missoula Farmer's Market that is held on Saturdays during the summer.

In 1955, one of Northern Pacific's Railroad Engines was located on the site and is still there today.

For more information on Missoula, Montana, or it's architecture and history, visit www.YourMT.com - Missoula Architecture & History

*Resource: A Guide to Historic Missoula by Allan James Mathews, 1948

One of my favorite things to do on a warm day is to take a walk on Missoula's Riverfront Trail.

The trail runs along the Clark Fork River through the heart of downtown and goes East to the University and West to Orange Street.

From this trail, you can see Missoula's amazing scenery, historic buildings, and enjoy the lifestyle that bring people to Montana.

The trail is wide enough for both walking your dog or bicycling. It is marked along the way with ten plaques on stone pillars to help you identify some of Missoula's important historical & geological features, including:

Historic Marker Topics:

• Southside Historic District
• The Built Environment
• Clark Fork River Crossings
• Meriwether Lewis
• The River
• Rattlesnake Valley and Mount Jumbo
• Rattlesnake Creek
• Glacial Lake Missoula
• The University of Montana
• Missoula Mills

Brennan's Wave is also a feature along the trail on the West side of the Higgins Street Bridge. Brennan's Wave is a man-made, engineered whitewater play pool for kayakers.

Caras Park, the site of many festivals and events, is directly North of the River. In addition, Caras Park is also home to Missoula's Carousel and Dragon's Hollow Playground.

Missoula's Old Milwaukee Station is along this trail. this depot has been at the center of Missoula for nearly 100 years. Designed by J.A. Lindstrand, the depot was built in 1910 to serve the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company. It features two observation towers, a Spanish-style roof, and walls constructed of imported brick from China. Since 1992, the depot has served as headquarters for the Boone & Crocket club.

This is a great way to relax in Missoula, and to see some of the best the city has to offer.

For more information on Missoula, or to request a Free Relocation Packet, Contact Kevin & Monica Ray at 406-207-1185.

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Kevin & Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.