Wilson House

Hamilton experienced a building boom in the mid-1930s as federal work relief and affordable housing programs started to ease economic stagnation during the Great Depression. Programs included low-interest loans from the Federal Housing Administration, which promoted small cottage homes like this one to working-class families. The smooth stucco walls, symmetrical gabled dormers, and shingled gable ends reflect the English cottage aesthetic. Civilian Conservation Corps carpenter Axel R. Larson and wife Martha built the house in 1935 but never lived in it. They moved to Missoula and sold the home to auto mechanic Walter “Bud” Wilson and his wife Pearl. Bud worked at the Ford dealership and later repaired machinery for Ravalli County. Pearl stayed home to raise their son Earl and was active with the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Ladies Guild. Earl graduated from Montana State University in civil engineering in 1952 and later worked to improve roads and drainage in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Mount Ranier national parks. Bud died in 1971 and Pearl remained in residence until she died in 1978.

Location

Metadata