Conrad, Charles E., Mansion - Kalispell, Montana
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 48° 11.822 W 114° 18.193
11U E 700392 N 5341716
Historic mansion located in Kalispell, Montana.
Waymark Code: WM29W5
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 09/29/2007
Views: 65
Conrad Mansion
In 1895, five years after serving as one of the first directors of the
Kalispell Townsite Company, Charles E. Conrad moved his extended family into
this 23-room mansion. the pioneer businessman had arrived in Montana from
his native Virginia in 1868, at age 18, with his brother, William. They
were employed by, and then bought L G. Baker Company, a mercantile and
freighting business based in Fort Benton. The brothers expanded that
business and ventured into banking establishing the Conrad Brothers Bank here in
1892. Over the years, Charles traveled into the Flathead Valley to hunt,
referring to it as the "Valley of Paradise." Conrad's friendship with
James J. Hill influenced the great Northern Railroad's route here and
Kalispell's early growth. the entrepreneur chose prominent Spokane
architect Kirkland K. Cutter to design a home that would fit his 72 acre wooded
estate. Cutter selected a shingle style design, with four native stone
chimneys serving eight fireplaces, stand and mullioned glass, hardwood
interiors, and many up-to-the-minute conveniences. Conrad died 1902, but
his wife carried on the family tradition of exuberant hospitality until her
death in 1923. The home was donated to the City of Kalispell in 1975 by
the youngest Conrad daughter, Alicia Conrad Campbell. ~ text of plaque
The Conrad Mansion is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for guided tours on the
hour from May 15th to October 15th, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday). The
last tour starts at 4pm. Admission $8 adults, $7 seniors, and $3 for
children under 12.