Soldiers' Home Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Soldiers' Home Historic District
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Veterans Drive, Columbia Falls, Montana |
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| Area | 147 acres (59 ha) |
| Built | 1896 |
| Built by | Fred Whiteside |
| Architect | Charles S. Haire |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000385 |
| Added to NRHP | April 21, 1994 |
The Soldiers' Home Historic District is a special place in Columbia Falls, Montana. It used to be a home for soldiers who needed help. This historic area is about 147 acres big. It has 9 important buildings built in old styles like Queen Anne and Colonial Revival.
It was first called the Montana State Soldiers' Home. Now it's known as the Montana Veterans' Home. This place has helped veterans (people who served in the military) since 1896. Its goal is to "honor the service of Montana’s veterans by serving them in turn in their time of need." This means they help veterans when they need it most.
The Soldiers' Home Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This list includes places that are important to American history.
A Look Back: How it Started
In the 1890s, many Civil War veterans in Montana needed help. About 25 of them lived on county poor farms. In 1895, a group called the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) asked the Montana State legislature (the state's law-making group) for a soldiers' home.
They chose Columbia Falls from eight different towns. The people of Columbia Falls gave $3,100 to help. Also, a company called Northern Improvement Co. donated 147 acres of land. This company was connected to the Great Northern Railway.
Key Buildings and Changes
The first main building was designed by Charles S. Haire. A builder and politician named Fred Whiteside built it in 1896.
Charles S. Haire also designed a small hospital in 1900. This hospital later became the Commandant's House in 1980. The Commandant was the person in charge of the home. A bigger hospital was built in 1908, but it is no longer there.
The Service Building was built in 1919. It had a chapel (a small church) and rooms for the home's employees. A cemetery (a place for burials) was started in 1897.
In 1970, a new living facility for veterans opened. It was called the Montana Veterans' Home. Montana Governor Forrest H. Anderson opened it. This new home provides housing and food for veterans. Sometimes, it also helps their spouses (husbands or wives).
A Special Statue
In 1972, a statue of a World War I doughboy was moved to the front of the Veterans' Home. A doughboy was a nickname for American soldiers during World War I. The statue was made by E. M. Viquesney. It used to stand in front of the Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell.
