Filed Under Kalispell

Silver Dollar Saloon / Jordan's Cafe

Kalispell Main Steet Historic District (Addendum and Boundary Increase)

A confectionery sold candy from a one-story building here in 1892. In 1901, the Theo Hamm Brewing Company replaced the small frame structure with this highly fashionable business block. The second story features a stamped metal façade designed to look like stone. Unique to Kalispell, the elaborate façade has colonial floral swags along the cornice, "stone" arches over the windows, and an egg-and-dart pattern along the sides. Decorative metal pineapples—symbolizing hospitality—top the pilasters. The railroad made ordering such large prefabricated architectural elements affordable. Shortly after the building's completion, Hamm Brewing Company sold it for a profit to Michael Gillen, who opened the Silver Dollar Saloon. Rented rooms filled the second floor. In 1910, at least sixteen single men lived here. Their varied professions included those of bartender, logger, carpenter, bank cashier, cigar maker, and blacksmith. Walter Jordan purchased Gillen's business (but not the building) in 1907, managing the bar until Prohibition closed it down in 1919. In 1927, Walter's wife Minnie opened Jordan's Café in the former saloon, managing the popular restaurant into the 1960s. 

Images

Silver Dollar Saloon, street view
Silver Dollar Saloon, street view photo adhered to info sheet with Ref. #11F-127. (verso unavailable) b&w print Source: Official records of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, Montana Creator: Unidentified photographer Date: ca. 1980s

Location

127 South Main Street, Kalispell, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Silver Dollar Saloon / Jordan's Cafe,” Historic Montana, accessed March 19, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/474.