Western Montana & Missoula Real Estate Blog & Area Information

Missoula Architecture & History - The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot on Higgins Ave.

Missoula has some beautiful buildings in our downtown area, and many have historical signficance as well. One of my favorites is the Northern Pacific Depot building located at the north end of Higgins Avenue.

The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1901 by the nationally recognized firm of Reed and Stem of St. Paul, Minnesota. This depot is one of four that the firm designed in Montana. The building is a long, rectangular brick structure with one story wings on the east and west side of the building. It is said to represent a "simplified version of Renaissance Revival Style".*

The exterior of the building is decorated with four urns with the distinctive Norther Pacific symbol of the yin-yang.

Northern Pacific Depot Construction Controversy

The building of the depot was quite controversial at the time and became the topic for dispute between two prominent Missoula families, and eventually the entire community.

The Urlin family donated land to help bring Northern Pacific to Missoula. The family didn't intend for the Depot to be constructed where it is because it would block access to their ranch. However, the Higgins family felt that a depot at the end of Higgins Avenue offered an "appropriate level of grandeur.

The Urlin family protested the construction of the building along with other resident's from Missoula's north side. To emphasize their point, the initial wood frame of the building was burned to the ground by arsonists.

Today, the Norther Pacific Depot is used for office space for local Missoula businesses. It is also the site for the Missoula Farmer's Market that is held on Saturdays during the summer.

In 1955, one of Northern Pacific's Railroad Engines was located on the site and is still there today.

For more information on Missoula, Montana, or it's architecture and history, visit www.YourMT.com - Missoula Architecture & History

*Resource: A Guide to Historic Missoula by Allan James Mathews, 1948

Hope to See You at this Year's Missoula Parade of Homes September 17-20, 2009

We always look forward to attending the Missoula Building Industry Association's Parade of Homes and Remodeling Tour. This year is the 20th anniversary and promises to be one of the best Parades yet.

They are featuring eight homes throughout the Missoula valley this year with prices ranging from $190,000 to $1.5 million, giving you plenty of inspiration for whatever your budget is. This year's Parade will feature a wide variety of enticing ideas to work into your dream home.  

Missoula Parade of Homes 2009
Dates: Sept. 17-20, 2009

Tickets are on sale Sept. 4, 2009 at First Security Bank, Vann's in Missoula and Hamilton, Missoulian and BMC West and are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

For more information on this year's event, visit www.BuildMissoula.com.

Photos and Information about Last Year's Missoula Parade of Homes

Missoula Montana Free Wi-Fi  Wireless Internet Locations in the Garden City

Missoula MT has many locations with free public Wi-Fi Wireless Internet access points around the city. Local businesses are starting to realize that Missoulians want their internet and they want it Free!

Here is a list of Wi-Fi Wireless Internet Locations in Missoula, MT

Missoula Free Wi-Fi Locations at  Coffee Houses & Restaurants, and Bars

1.) Break Espresso - One of Missoula's best local coffee shops, Break Espresso is located in downtown Missoula on at 432 North Higgins, Missoula, MT Phone: 728-7300.

2.) Food for Thought - A college favorite, located across from the University of Montana campus on the corner of Arthur and Daly - 540 Daly Ave, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-6033

3.) Liquid Plant - Located in downtown Missoula at 223 N. Higgins, Ave., Missoula, MT Phone: 541-4541.

4.) Butterfly Herbs - Missoula's favorite herb store with a great coffee house in the back, also in downtown Missoula at 232 North Higgins, Missoula, MT Phone: 728-8780

5.) Sean Kelly's Public House - a popular downtown Missoula pub and restaurant, one of my favorite places for lunch! Located at 130 West Pine Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 542-1471

6.) Tropical Smoothie Cafe - My favorite place for smoothies in Missoula, located at 1300 South Reserve Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 543-1141

7.) Taco Del Sol - Located in downtown Missoula at 422 North Higgins Ave., Missoula, MT Phone: 327-8929

8.) The Press Box Bar & Restaurant - Near the University of Montana footbridge, 835 E. Broadway Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-1212. 

9.) The Oxford - One of Missoula's historic bars, the Oxford also has a diner and Keno/Poker. Located in downtown Missoula at 337 North Higgins, Missoula, MT Phone: 549-0117. Open 24 hours.

10.) Fuddruckers - Located at 2805 North Reserve Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-4577

11.) Subway in Southgate Mall - 2901 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 542-7771.

12.) The Celtic Connection - 114 East Main Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-6725

13.) Muralt's Travel Plaza - Located at 8800 Truck Stop Road, Missoula - off Interstate-90 and Highway 93, Phone: 728-4700. Open 24 hours.

14.) City Brew Coffee - Located at 400 West Broadway, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-3600.

15.) Denny's Restaurant - Located across from Southgate Mall at 2922 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 549-2191. Open 24 hours.

16.) Perkins - Located at 2275 North Reserve Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 543-3330. Open 24 hours.

17.) Worden's Market - Located in downtown Missoula at 451 North Higgins, Missoula, MT Phone: 549-1293

18.) Hardback Cafe at Hastings Bookstore - 2501 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 542-1077.

19.) Finnegan's located near the University of Montana at 700 East Broadway, Missoula, MT Phone: 542-2752. Open 24 hours.

20.) Dairy Queen - at 3753 North Reserve, Missoula MT Phone: 728-5950

21.) Flanagan's Motors - great to use when you're getting you're oil changed! Located at 1776 Stephens, Missoula MT Phone: 721-1381

22.) Flipper's Casino - Open 24-hours, downtown Missoula at 125 S. 3rd St. West, Missoula, MT 59801 Phone: 721-4895

23.) La Parilla - 130 West Broadway, Missoula, MT 721-2180

Missoula Free Wi-Fi Public Locations & Retail Stores

1.) Missoula Public Library - 301 East Main Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-2665

2.) Caras Park - located in downtown Missoula along the Clark Fork River at 131 South Higgins Avenue.

3.) Barnes & Noble - located at 2640 North Reserve St., Missoula, MT Phone: 721-0009

4.) Safeway - 3801 S. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT 59801 Phone: 406-251-3311

5.) Safeway - 610 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802 Phone: 406-549-5429

Missoula Free Wi-Fi Locations - Hotels

1.) Courtyard by Marriot, located at 4559 N Reserve Street, Missoula, MT Phone: 549-5260

2.) Ruby's Inn - Lobby & Meeting Center Only - 4825 North Reserve, Missoula, MT Phone: 721-0990

3.) Econo Lodge - 4953 N Reserve St., Missoula, MT Phone: 542-7550

4.) La Quinta - 5059 N Reserve St., Missoula, MT Phone: 549-9000

5.) Val-U Inn - 3001 Brooks St., Missoula, MT Phone: 721-9600

6.) Jim & Mary's RV Park - 9800 Highway 93 North, Missoula, MT  549-4416

7.) Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park - 200 South Pattee Street, Missoula, MT 532-2053

Missoula Free Wi-Fi Locations - Laundramats

1.) Sparkle Laundry - Located at 812 South Higgins, Missoula, MT 721-5146

DID WE MISS ANY? If so, just send us an email and we'll add to the list!

Missoula Montana Named One of the Most Playful Cities in America!

In a time when 82 percent of parents believe children don't spend enough time playing outside, KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, named them its most Playful City USA communities recently, Missoula Montana made that list!

Each of the 2009 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access.

Making playspaces accessible to all citizens in Missoula is a priority for the Parks and Recreation department. The department will establish new connector sidewalks that will connect low and moderate income housing, schools, the YMCA, and a community park.

The department is also developing a new Finder Map for the citizens of Missoula that will show users where to find playspaces, -Got Nature‖ spaces and -Daily Dose‖ areas. The Finder Map will host information about the location of and access to trailheads, bus connections, trails, parks, wellness sites, and other great places to visit and play throughout Missoula and is expected to be completed by May 2010.

For more information on the Playful Cities Award, read the Press Release.

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

By TwitterButtons.com

Missoula, Montana was recently named Ninth in the category of "Greenest Commuter Towns" by AARP. This was based on a 2007 Census Bureau Estimate that 8.91% of Missoulians bike or walk to work.

Missoula promotes biking and walking to work with Missoula in Motion - a program designed to help local businesses, institutions and individuals address transportation issues within the Missoula community. Missoula in Motion has a Way to Go Club as a special way to reward those throughout the community who are choosing a different option than driving alone in their cars. You can join free at http://missoulainmotion.com/.

The other towns that ranked in this AARP report include:

1.) Ithaca, NY - 16.88%

2.) State College, PA 12.75

3.) Corvallis, OR 12.03

4.) Jacksonville, NC 11.14

5.) Ames, Iowa 10.67

6.) Iowa City, Iowa 9.68

7.) Flagstaff, AZ 9.47

8.) Champaign-Urbana, Ill 8.98

9.) Missoula, MT 8.91

10.) Ann Arbor, Mich 3.21

Source - AARP Magazine, Census Bureau 2007 Results

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Kevin & Monica Ray are real estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.

If you're want to keep an eye on Missoula, Montana, here are the best local web cams to help:

Downtown Missoula & View of the "M" on Mount Sentinel - Missoula County Webcam

The Univeristy of Montana's GRIZ CAM - GRIZ CAM 

The Missoula International Airport also has a webcam at FLYMISSOULA

The Missoulian's webcam & weather forecast - Missoulian Cam

Here's a list of other Montana webcams.

Want to see your favorite webcam quickly? Add iGoogle as your internet browser's homepage. One of the free tools on iGoogle is that you can add your favorite webcam and it will appear on your homepage. We have the webcam from our favorite vacation spot, Oceanside, Oregon on our page.

If you want to learn about the Missoula Real Estate market, contact Kevin & Monica Ray with Access Realty at 406-207-1185 or visit us online at www.YourMT.com.

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 Kevin & Monica Ray are real estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.

Winter can start to seem a little long this time of year. Take a break for fun and enjoy some of Missoula's favorite family activities.  

A Carousel for Missoula & Dragon Hollow - is located downtown along the river and is built and maintained by volunteers. According to the Carousel website, "If magic can happen anywhere, it can happen in Missoula, where dreams are followed and promises are kept, and where people believe in making a life as well as making a living."  

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor's Center - features hands-on conservation and hunting heritage exhibits for all ages. Our exhibits invite you to learn more about elk, elk country and the role the Elk Foundation plays in conservation.  

Currents Aquatic Park - Current's four pools feature engaging water features for every age. Currents is also home to Parks and Recreation headquarters and "Headwaters," a state-of-art community meeting room available for public use.  

Smokejumper Visitor's Center -  the largest active smokejumper base in the nation, it provides a unique opportunity to learn about this unusual, demanding, and dramatic occupation.  

Children's Museum of Missoula - The Children's Museum, Missoula offers fun, interactive learning opportunities that allow children to explore their interests and abilities through play.  

For more great Montana family fun destinations, visit Montanakids.com.

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Kevin & Monica Ray are real estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.

Missoula is a culturally diverse community with a broad range of Arts available in the areas of theater, music, dance, festivals and art. Art galleries are a major focus of Missoula's downtown where you can tour the many galleries anytime and especially on First Friday - the first Friday of every month when the galleries stay open late and people gather downtown to enjoy photography, sculptures, ceramics, paintings, and locally made arts and crafts.

Some of Missoula's many cultural draws include:

Missoula Children's Theater for the Performing Arts: http://www.mctinc.org/ - North America's largest touring children's theater and home to a series of community productions, both musical and non-musical.

UM Productions: http://www.umproductions.org/ - UM Productions provides programs from jass to modern dance to comedy to blues and ballet.

The Montana Repertory Theater: http://www.montanarep.org/ - The Rep is the professional theater company in residence at the University of Montana.

The International Wildlife Film Festival: http://www.wildlifefilms.org/ The IWFF has become the premier film venue celebrating wildlife and natural history programming from around the world.

The Historic Wilma Theater: http://www.thewilma.com/ - Missoula's hub for live entertainment, movies and local showcases.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: A Touring Shakespearan acting Troup.

Missoula Symphony Orchestra & Chorale: http://www.missoulasymphony.org/ - features over 150 area musicians in several performances each year.

The Missoula Cultural Council: http://www.missoulacultural.org/ - Montana's first local arts agency serving as a resource for the coordination and development of Arts and Culture in Missoula.

The Missoula Art Museum: http://www.missoulaartmuseum.org/ - contemporary visual arts reflecting the history, cultural diversity and issues of Montana.

For a schedule of Missoula's Arts & Cultural Events, visit the Missoula Independent at http://www.missoulanews.com/.

Or for more information on Missoual, the Arts, the local real estate market, or what to do & see, contact Kevin & Monica Ray at Access Realty at 406-207-1185 or visit us online at http://www.yourmt.com/!

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Kevin & Monica Ray are real estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. For more information on Western Montana, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.