Filed Under Kalispell

Brewery Saloon

Kalispell Main Steet Historic District (Addendum and Boundary Increase)

In 1894, the two-year-old Brewery Saloon—then a one-story, twenty-five-by-sixty-foot building—served Kalispell draft beer for five cents a glass. Lunch was free. One of Main Street’s first brick buildings, the saloon featured an oak and mahogany bar, French mirrors, and brass trim. German immigrants Charles and Henry Lindlahr owned the saloon as well as the Kalispell Malting and Brewing Company. In 1900, Charles added a second story to house the exclusive, men-only Kalispell Club. The club offered reception, reading, and billiard rooms. Expansion continued in 1901 with the addition of Kalispell’s first bowling alley and second-floor card rooms and bathrooms. By 1919, James Jorgenson and Albert Dreessen owned the building, which they renamed The Palm. The Palm survived Prohibition by selling fishing and smoking supplies, gifts, candy, lunches, and fountain drinks and by opening the bowling alley once a week to women. In the 1970s, the building was renovated and the exterior was covered with modern metal and brick. Using historic photographs for reference, the original Victorian façade was meticulously reconstructed in 2001. 

Images

Brewery Saloon, street view
Brewery Saloon, street view 120 Main May 2000 (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: May 2000
Brewery Saloon, street view
Brewery Saloon, street view 120 Main March 2001 Ground floor construction hidden by temporary plywood front. Second floor awaiting window installation. Ornamental wood trim in front being restored by 93 wood products (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: March 2001
Brewery Saloon, street view
Brewery Saloon, street view This photo, dated by Kathy McKay to 1901 or 1902 shows main st. and the "Brewery Saloon." Inscription on the back of origional photo said 4th of July parade with Charlie Conrad riding the leading horse (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: ca. 1900
Brewery Saloon, interior
Brewery Saloon, interior Photo approx. 1910 showing, interior of first floor looking toward front door. Picture window front is being restored tin ceiling will remain (verso) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: ca. 1910

Location

102 South Main Street, Kalispell, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Brewery Saloon,” Historic Montana, accessed March 28, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/465.