{"id":213,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:06","latitude":47.509970199999997930717654526233673095703125,"longitude":-111.3294664999999667998054064810276031494140625,"title":"T. E. Collins Mansion","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d681227b71aae8878f35b81731819583.jpg","address":"1003 2nd Avenue Northwest, Great Falls, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"Irish-born Timothy Collins followed the gold stampedes to Montana but soon turned to law and politics. For a time in the 1870s he was the only attorney practicing in Meagher County. Elected to the territorial legislature several times, Collins was a Great Falls founder and introduced the bill creating Cascade County with the new town as county seat. He helped organize the First National Bank of Great Falls, built the first brick business block, and platted the west side residential district, building his own home here in 1891. Sited high enough for a commanding view of the city, it was one of the first homes constructed on the far side of the Missouri River. The Daily Tribune proudly noted that such a beautiful residence built in a young town “tells powerfully the story of the confidence men have in the city’s future.” Gables embellished with bargeboards and modillions of classical and oriental influence, a graceful veranda, paneled chimneys, bay windows, and covered porte cochere recall elegant Victorian sensibilities. Although stucco now covers the original brick façade, the striking asymmetry and varied details demanded of the Queen Anne style are beautifully intact. Originally equipped with both gas and electricity, hot and cold running water, and hot air and steam heat, the home was a model of modern convenience before such amenities were commonplace. Rich wood finishings of quartered oak, dark cherry, and ash invite guests to experience the elegance of times gone by.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Private","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/6dd9d77d-f05a-4964-8b2d-ed494165de1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the T.E. Collins Mansion</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/77db17e7-81b7-45f9-b76a-ecac43b5c24a/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of the T.E. Collins Mansion</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d681227b71aae8878f35b81731819583.jpg":{"id":761,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Historic view of T. E. Collins Mansion","description":"View of facade | Great Falls Tribune | circa 1937 | Great Falls Tribune","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/d681227b71aae8878f35b81731819583.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/e3c1404490edb4dda4d714676847d3de.jpg":{"id":759,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"T. E. Collins Mansion","description":"View of porch entry | T. E. Collins Bed and Breakfast Facebook page | circa 2018 | T. E. Collins Bed and Breakfast","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/e3c1404490edb4dda4d714676847d3de.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/977d93c7c5d8352aa2631353f14a140f.jpg":{"id":760,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"T. E. Collins Mansion","description":"View of interior fireplace | T. E. Collins Bed and Breakfast | circa 2018 | T. E. Collins Bed and Breakfast","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/977d93c7c5d8352aa2631353f14a140f.jpg"}}}