Montgomery Ward Building (Idaho Falls, Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Montgomery Ward Building (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
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| Location | 504 Shoup Ave. Idaho Falls, Idaho |
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| Built | 1928-1929 |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001096 |
| Added to NRHP | 1984-08-30 |
The Montgomery Ward Building is a special old building in downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho. It used to be a big department store. Today, it has a Chinese restaurant and some offices inside.
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The Montgomery Ward Building
This building is known as the Montgomery Ward and Company Department Store. It is a historic landmark in Idaho Falls. It was built a long time ago, between 1928 and 1929. The building shows off a beautiful style called Renaissance architecture. This means it has classic designs, like those from ancient Rome or Greece.
What is a Department Store?
Imagine a huge store where you could buy almost anything! That's what a department store like Montgomery Ward was. They sold clothes, furniture, toys, and even tools. Montgomery Ward was one of the first big companies to sell things through mail-order catalogs. People could order items from a book and have them delivered. Later, they opened large stores in cities like Idaho Falls. These stores were very popular places for families to shop.
History of the Building
The Montgomery Ward Building was built during a time when department stores were very important. It was a busy place where people from Idaho Falls and nearby towns came to shop. The building's design was meant to look grand and inviting. It was a modern shopping experience for its time.
Becoming a Historic Place
In 1984, the Montgomery Ward Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. When a building is on this list, it means it is important to the history of the country. It helps protect these buildings so they can be enjoyed for many more years. Being on the list means the building has unique architecture or played a big part in local history.
Where is it Today?
Even though Montgomery Ward stores are no longer around, their buildings often find new uses. The Idaho Falls building is a great example. It still stands proudly on Shoup Avenue. Today, it houses a restaurant and various offices. This shows how old buildings can be given new life. They continue to be part of the community.