{"id":1654,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-08-31 05:05:32","latitude":46.87340420000000307254595099948346614837646484375,"longitude":-113.9919704000000137966708280146121978759765625,"title":"Missoula Laundry Company","subtitle":"Missoula Downtown Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/976af5124c9c0dae8f08fe711a5919e1.jpg","address":"111 East Spruce Street, Missoula, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"In 1915, Nettie and Joseph Hagen expanded their Model Laundry Company by purchasing the Missoula Laundry Company and moving their business into the newly completed west section of this building. That original structure and its later additions represent three different commercial architectural styles. Built during the construction boom that followed the advent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad in Missoula, the first of the laundry’s three parts features the crenelated roof and ornamental brickwork of a vernacular style. In 1928 and 1929, architect H. Elmer Kirkemo, then associated with the distinguished Missoula firm of Gibson and Bakke, designed the two stylistically sophisticated, pre-Depression era additions. The central portion dominates, with its terra cotta parapet, window sills, and detailing providing one of Missoula’s best examples of the mature Art Deco style. The final addition on the east end reflects the Western commercial style and features a concrete cornice and pilasters that echo the styling of the center section. The Hagens sold their business in 1947 to nephews Larry, Herman, and Karl Topel, and it has since remained in the Topel family. The old-fashioned advertising signs painted directly on the brick speak to a bygone era, reminding customers of long-standing service.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/2dfbed0c-cec5-49d7-b831-c25ae1ca0819\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the Missoula Laundry Company</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/fd27ae29-7936-42fa-847c-149c746f07b5/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of the Missoula Laundry Company</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/976af5124c9c0dae8f08fe711a5919e1.jpg":{"id":6808,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Front to side view of building, facing southeast on East Spruce Street.  | Montana Historical Society | August 2026 | Arizona Duff","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/976af5124c9c0dae8f08fe711a5919e1.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f49a3df81b12469bf8a3b4aac579745c.jpg":{"id":6809,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Front to side view of building, facing southwest on East Spruce Street.  | Montana Historical Society | August 2026 | Arizona Duff","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/f49a3df81b12469bf8a3b4aac579745c.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/5ef4cde91fcb67b3351040cf6c34dfae.jpg":{"id":1253,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Missoula Laundry Company, exterior view of the building on East Spruce Street, facing to the southwest. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/15980\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1970&#039;s | Unidentified photographer","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/5ef4cde91fcb67b3351040cf6c34dfae.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/2bbc9b5789886499cc37102a56755cdb.jpg":{"id":1255,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Missoula Laundry Company delivery trucks and drivers on East Spruce. Five drivers stand beside five delivery trucks in front of the laundry building, facing the southwest. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/15960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1970&#039;s | Unidentified photographer","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/2bbc9b5789886499cc37102a56755cdb.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/c76ccf6040b5a662950f1eae025f4996.jpg":{"id":1254,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Missoula Laundry Company and delivery trucks and drivers on East Spruce Street. Six delivery trucks are lined up in front of the building. The drivers stand beside each vehicle. Front view of building, facing the southwest. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/15952\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1929 | Rollin H. McKay","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/c76ccf6040b5a662950f1eae025f4996.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/cd801f8bbf5b867f8aea4a75cacea571.jpg":{"id":1252,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Missoula Laundry Company","description":"Missoula Laundry Company with horse-drawn delivery carts on East Spruce. Three horse-drawn wagons are beside the building. A man stands by each of the wagons. Another man stands on the sidewalk in front of the building. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/15966\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1900&#039;s | Unidentified photographer","alt":"alt=&quot;&quot;","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/cd801f8bbf5b867f8aea4a75cacea571.jpg"}}}