{"id":10,"ordinal":0,"modified":"2026-05-28 21:27:24","content_modified":"2026-05-28 21:27:24","featured":0,"title":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","creator":null,"description":"<p>Great Falls began with an act of imagination. In 1882 entrepreneur Paris Gibson looked at the broad flat plain near the cataracts of the Missouri and envisioned a booming metropolis. By the next year, Gibson had convinced railroad magnate James J. Hill to help him found a town. When surveyor Herbert Rolfe laid out Great Falls’ original 160-block plat, he made the streets wide enough for freighters to easily turn their wagons around. “Grass and sagebrush grew, and nothing indicated that here would rise a city,” Rolfe’s wife recalled. “Piles of rocks were placed at the corners of streets and avenues to show their location.” Yet within six years permanent buildings—including several still standing in Central Avenue’s 100 block—dominated the business district. As the city grew, the heavy architectural styles popular in the 1890s gave way to brick commercial buildings. Many of these, including the 1920 Beaux Arts Liberty Theater, sported elaborate terra-cotta ornamentation. Forty percent of the district’s buildings were constructed before 1920, but unlike many Montana communities, Great Falls continued to grow despite drought and economic depression. The 1931 Art Deco S. H. Kress building and the Moderne one-story 1948 Bus Depot and Garage reflect that expansion. Today 103 buildings constructed between 1886 and 1951 contribute to the historic business district. Schools, banks, commercial blocks, hotels, and apartment buildings enliven the district, reflecting an eclectic mix of architectural styles while testifying to Great Falls’ layered development.</p>","postscript_text":"","tour_img":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f079e7ed52cb1d5f55c672ac40840137.jpg","items":[{"id":176,"title":"Victor Ario Building #2 / Belmont Hotel","latitude":47.50398954517699934285701601766049861907958984375,"longitude":-111.3020751362499822789686731994152069091796875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/f079e7ed52cb1d5f55c672ac40840137.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f079e7ed52cb1d5f55c672ac40840137.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"308 - 310 1st Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":177,"title":"Bungalow Bakery","latitude":47.5067149999999998044586391188204288482666015625,"longitude":-111.29842500000000882209860719740390777587890625,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/9d527e19c46dcae465fb0e21e1a1d658.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/9d527e19c46dcae465fb0e21e1a1d658.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"509 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":3681,"title":"14-18 South Fifth Street","latitude":47.5044911711063519987874315120279788970947265625,"longitude":-111.2993252277374267578125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/8f74cc44a051247bc0019601084f4f32.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/8f74cc44a051247bc0019601084f4f32.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"14-18 South Fifth Street, Great Falls, MT","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":178,"title":"Bus Depot and Garage","latitude":47.5040034000000019887011148966848850250244140625,"longitude":-111.30113560000000916261342354118824005126953125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/2d37a85bfb88440c8c61e8a67ecb3d55.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/2d37a85bfb88440c8c61e8a67ecb3d55.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"326 1st Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":179,"title":"Dubbs Block","latitude":47.5066575999999969326381688006222248077392578125,"longitude":-111.292836800000031871604733169078826904296875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/2e5d50cb3bbc33ea9c7f9b28fcf11c6d.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/2e5d50cb3bbc33ea9c7f9b28fcf11c6d.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"815 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":180,"title":"F.W. Woolworth Building","latitude":47.50511730000000198970155906863510608673095703125,"longitude":-111.298857300000008763163350522518157958984375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/9feaa0480a7693fa583dfc5d7d2f0317.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/9feaa0480a7693fa583dfc5d7d2f0317.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"500 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":181,"title":"Great Falls Building and Loan Association (Demolished)","latitude":47.50623180000000189693309948779642581939697265625,"longitude":-111.2988116000000218264176510274410247802734375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/3a98b84e1035dd892fa4adeb26003382.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/3a98b84e1035dd892fa4adeb26003382.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"13 5th Street North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":182,"title":"Great Falls Gas","latitude":47.5055234000000012883901945315301418304443359375,"longitude":-111.29403050000001940134097822010517120361328125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/7faf483381a3d8cc09530aff39f68e29.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/7faf483381a3d8cc09530aff39f68e29.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"725 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":183,"title":"S.H. Kress and Company","latitude":47.505460499999998091880115680396556854248046875,"longitude":-111.30026270000001886728568933904170989990234375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/c22b767c49da52a22cf578fe575d4dcd.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/c22b767c49da52a22cf578fe575d4dcd.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"409-411 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":184,"title":"Lee Forest Garage","latitude":47.50657249999999720557752880267798900604248046875,"longitude":-111.304595199999994292738847434520721435546875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/32e93e26bd4e1ead643ab260a7635b93.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/32e93e26bd4e1ead643ab260a7635b93.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"119 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":185,"title":"Lemon Boarding House","latitude":47.50463760000000235095285461284220218658447265625,"longitude":-111.2975599000000102023477666079998016357421875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/dc226a9d0bf71ba21c1b2054e4232c8d.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/dc226a9d0bf71ba21c1b2054e4232c8d.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"12 6th Street South, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":186,"title":"Liberty Theatre","latitude":47.50549480000000102108970168046653270721435546875,"longitude":-111.30226620000001958032953552901744842529296875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/bf914404b8fa0e1474b4639d8db04fc2.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/bf914404b8fa0e1474b4639d8db04fc2.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"301 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":187,"title":"Murphy Maclay Hardware Store","latitude":47.50502560000000329409886035136878490447998046875,"longitude":-111.303926799999999275314621627330780029296875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/52166a2ab64cda701f68a5c96556bde3.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/52166a2ab64cda701f68a5c96556bde3.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"200 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":188,"title":"Masonic Temple, Great Falls","latitude":47.5056215999999977839252096600830554962158203125,"longitude":-111.29238809999998238708940334618091583251953125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/065058a2636021db886fdd135319b861.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/065058a2636021db886fdd135319b861.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"821 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":189,"title":"New Park Hotel","latitude":47.50511420000000128993633552454411983489990234375,"longitude":-111.305693300000029921648092567920684814453125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/3cba336fa62ba4d7868013550d64c33a.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/3cba336fa62ba4d7868013550d64c33a.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"100 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":190,"title":"Rainbow Hotel","latitude":47.50609659999999934143488644622266292572021484375,"longitude":-111.3029847999999901730916462838649749755859375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/c690711cca4100ea242e7fb27eb99a12.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/c690711cca4100ea242e7fb27eb99a12.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Central Business Historic District","address":"20 3rd Street North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":191,"title":"315 Fourth Avenue North","latitude":47.50993849999999696365193813107907772064208984375,"longitude":-111.301599099999975805985741317272186279296875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/a710b77de9391fc08813c655fa9e16fb.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/a710b77de9391fc08813c655fa9e16fb.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"315 4th Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":192,"title":"305 Third Avenue North","latitude":47.50883309999999681849658372811973094940185546875,"longitude":-111.30202529999996841070242226123809814453125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/3e14493e9c1ba9230dee66d0314be003.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/3e14493e9c1ba9230dee66d0314be003.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"305 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":193,"title":"Anaconda Company Manager's House","latitude":47.50883590000000111785993794910609722137451171875,"longitude":-111.3022121000000197454937733709812164306640625,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/ba0b565367ab9d9cabbf802ebc6cdc07.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/ba0b565367ab9d9cabbf802ebc6cdc07.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"301 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":194,"title":"Boyd House","latitude":47.50926460000000162153810379095375537872314453125,"longitude":-111.303979000000026644556783139705657958984375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/6f3f74130e49c3c5607b2bf9505bb2f6.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/6f3f74130e49c3c5607b2bf9505bb2f6.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"313 2nd Street North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":195,"title":"Cascade County Courthouse","latitude":47.5080540000000013378667063079774379730224609375,"longitude":-111.2999009999999771025613881647586822509765625,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/960ee4c4a706d01974e564b42150cc9d.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/960ee4c4a706d01974e564b42150cc9d.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"415 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":196,"title":"Clark Apartments","latitude":47.50958155697099982717190869152545928955078125,"longitude":-111.3034139570800107321701943874359130859375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/9bfe40dc8cd1964bbf31624a9c238ccc.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/9bfe40dc8cd1964bbf31624a9c238ccc.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"212-214 1/2 4th Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":197,"title":"C.E. Davis Residence","latitude":47.50990228260599934628771734423935413360595703125,"longitude":-111.2927020412799947735038585960865020751953125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/318bcd409b783927e1203d3e2e78cb58.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/318bcd409b783927e1203d3e2e78cb58.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"817 4th Avenue North , Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":198,"title":"W.K. Floweree House","latitude":47.50990950691799952210203628055751323699951171875,"longitude":-111.29237718440998605728964321315288543701171875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/39756aaa42b5deaebd589037628fbdc6.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/39756aaa42b5deaebd589037628fbdc6.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"825 4th Avenue North , Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":199,"title":"Abe and Carrie Kaufman Residence","latitude":47.50990639999999842757461010478436946868896484375,"longitude":-111.29614420000001473454176448285579681396484375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/bcf7c08055f15f16a2103675073d1a47.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/bcf7c08055f15f16a2103675073d1a47.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"617 4th Avenue North , Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":200,"title":"A.W. Kingsbury House","latitude":47.5099158000000016954800230450928211212158203125,"longitude":-111.29584979999998495259205810725688934326171875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/d67db78cb5a9311b3b179307f76fed1f.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d67db78cb5a9311b3b179307f76fed1f.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"627 4th Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":201,"title":"Quigley House","latitude":47.5099900000000019417711882852017879486083984375,"longitude":-111.29486300000002074739313684403896331787109375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/005a6ad5466cfebb49bb0393cc707193.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/005a6ad5466cfebb49bb0393cc707193.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"709 4th Avenue North , Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":202,"title":"St. Ann's Cathedral","latitude":47.508804900000001225635060109198093414306640625,"longitude":-111.29499970000000530490069650113582611083984375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/c5ed96c1c58a02ccacd861131f3a15a5.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/c5ed96c1c58a02ccacd861131f3a15a5.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"715 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":203,"title":"Terrill Apartments","latitude":47.50840670000000187656041816808283329010009765625,"longitude":-111.301607399999966219183988869190216064453125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/b9729a8504f265e788a269992dbb3a1a.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/b9729a8504f265e788a269992dbb3a1a.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"312 3rd Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":204,"title":"Toole Residence","latitude":47.5094735310964750851780991069972515106201171875,"longitude":-111.2981450557708740234375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/170a4553dcc905874bf60dbfb2c9ebbe.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/170a4553dcc905874bf60dbfb2c9ebbe.jpg","subtitle":"Great Falls Northside Residential Historic District","address":"512 4th Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}}]}