Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Thompson Falls (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Sanders County Jail, Gem Saloon, and Hoyt House. Also, be sure to include Northern Pacific Warehouse in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Thompson Falls (Montana).
Table of Contents
Sanders County Jail
The Sanders County Jail is a historic jail built in 1907 in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It was built by contractors Christian & Gobelet for $5,000 and is a two-story brick building on a stone and mortar foundation. It has a shallow hipped roof. It has jail cells installed by the Paully Jail Company of St. Louis.
In 1984 it was the oldest surviving county building, and it was rented out to the Thompson Falls Historical Society.[1]
Address: 109 Madison St, 59873 Thompson Falls
Gem Saloon
Historical landmark in Thompson Falls, Montana. The Gem Saloon, at 808 Main St. in Thompson Falls, Montana, USA, was built in 1914. It is a historic building listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It has also been used by, and was known as, Napa Auto Parts, and has been a restaurant, too. When photographed in 2013 it held a pizza shop.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It was one of five commercial buildings in Thompson Falls that were together listed on the NRHP, as part of a multiple property submission.[2]
Hoyt House
The Hoyt House, in 204 Gallatin St. in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana, was built in 1914. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It is a one-and-a-half-story bungalow with narrow lap siding. It has a full width front porch, supported by four square columns, under its hipped roof.
It was originally owned by Randolph R. Hoyt, who came to Thompson Falls in 1907 and became co-owner the Thompson Hotel in 1909[3]
Northern Pacific Warehouse
The Northern Pacific Warehouse in Thompson Falls, Montana, also known as the Burlington Northern Warehouse, was built in 1900 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The listed property is bounded by Preston Ave. and Main St. along the Burlington Northern right-of-way.
It was deemed significant as the sole surviving structure from the railroad industry in Thompson Falls.[4]
Thayer House
The Thayer House at 109 Jefferson St. in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana was home of Arthur W. Thayer, a mining entrepreneur and editor of the Sanders County Ledger. The stone house, built in 1907, was described as "The most portentious residence in Thompson" by the Ledger. It is "French southern Colonial" in style and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It was built of stone from Thayer's quarry on the Thompson River, with the stone brought during the winter by teamster Eugene Preston by two four-horse sleighs.[5]
Griffen House
Griffen House, at 205 Gallatin St. in Thompson Falls, Montana, was built in 1912. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It has also been known as Kendall House.
It is a bungalow which originally was 28 by 40 feet (8.5 m × 12.2 m) in plan. It has a gable roof.
It was home for Claude W. Criffen, who came in 1911 to lead the U.S. Forest Service operations in Thompson Falls. He served as Supervisor of the Cabinet National Forest until 1917. It was later home of Orin Kendall (d.1982), who served as County Superintendent of Schools from 1946 to 1968, then served in the state legislature. He also served as mayor of Thompson Falls and on the town council.[6]
Grandchamp House
The Grandchamp House, at 1012 Preston Ave. in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana, was built in 1911. It has also been known as Wollaston House. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It was deemed significant as "an intact example of a Bungalow style residence." It was built by carpenter Nelson Grandchamp, who built three bungalows in Thompson Falls during 1910–12.[7]
Ainsworth House
The Ainsworth House in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana was built in 1910. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It has also been known as Fisher House.
It is a one-and-a-half-story "bungalow-inspired" house. It was built for Auburn S. Ainsworth, an attorney and realtor. Mrs. Ainsworth "is best remembered as an eccentric lady who sponsored Christian Scientist meetings in her home for many years."[8]
Bedard House
The Bedard House, at 207 Spruce St. in Thompson Falls, Montana, was built in 1912. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It has also been known as Roys Residence.
It was built by Charles Wicksell and Ecton Brown. It is "a good example of a large 'pattern book' Bungalow style house which flourished throughout the United States during the first two decades of the 20th century, and was commonly built on the west side of Thompson Falls in ca.1910."[9]
Tourist Hotel
The Tourist Hotel on Main St. in Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana was built in 1912. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It has also been known as Hotel Bar.
It was first owned by William Cummings, who arrived in Thompson Falls in 1906. In 1986, it was one of only five commercial buildings surviving from Thompson Falls' early community. Its parapet with arcaded corbelling was assessed as "one of the strongest architectural decorative elements in the community."[10]
House at 112 Park Street
The House at 112 Park Street, also known as the Browne Residence, in Thompson Falls, Montana was built in 1911–12. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
It was a one-story frame house with several elements of Bungalow, including its front porch under its hipped roof, supported by battered columns. In 1984 its roof was covered by asbestos shingles. It was built by contractor Charles H. Doenges, with design likely from a pattern book, for his brother Louis Doenges.[11]