Looking Back: A Pictorial History of the Flathead Valley by Kathryn L. Mckay Chapter 3 1905-1917 Community Building — Transportation — Agriculture and — Forest Homesteads — Community Life — Glacier National       Park — Forest Fires — Logging — Swan Lake Timber       Sale

Charles E. Conrad residence, 316 Sixth Avenue East, Kalispell, 1907. Conrad, a friend of James J. Hill of the Great Northern Railway, was a prominent businessman in Kalispell until his death in 1902. The shingle-style dwelling was designed by Kirkland Cutter of Spokane, and the twenty-three-room residence is now open for guided tours during the summers. Bigfork power plant and penstock, circa 1910. The hydroelectric dam and power plant provided power to Kalispell and other communities. The Northern Idaho & Montana Power Company took it over in 1909 and built a diversion dam that carried water from the Swan River in a flume to a penstock 105' above the turbine. Great Northern depot in Kalispell, looking northeast, circa 1912. In October 1904, the Great Northern relocated its route west of Columbia Falls. The railroad division point moved to the new town of Whitefish, putting Kalispell on a spur line. Railroaders nicknamed Kalispell "Fishhook" because it was at the end of the line. Kalispell residents, in turn,referred to Whitefish as "Suckerville." Local trains known as the Kalispell "Dinky" and the "Galloping Goose" carried passengers between Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell until 1951.

Only $27.00 plus $5.00 Shipping & Handling  —  Bookstores & Non-Profits: Ask about bulk discounts This 224-page hardcover volume features more than 320 historic photographs of the Flathead Valley, many of which have never before been published. The accompanying text, by Columbia Falls historian Kathryn L. McKay, outlines Flathead Valley history from the 1880's to the 1950's. Looking Back is fully indexed and includes an extensive bibliography.