Flathead County Courthouse
Land purchased on 17 June, 1902, for 3,0000.00 under the direction of C. E. Conrad. This land was originally part of a homestead patent owned by John Sell of Kalispell and originally consisted of 2.75 acres. At the time Main Street did not run all the way to the courthouse but with a right of way being given by Kalispell City, Main Street was extended from the depot to the courthouse and much later was diverted around the building.
Courthouse construction started immediately, and continued until it was completed in 1905 although the building was occupied in 1903.
Although the courthouse was designed with a clock tower- a clock was never installed.
Listed on the National Historic Register
Land purchased on 17 June, 1902, for 3,0000.00 under the direction of C. E. Conrad. This land was originally part of a homestead patent owned by John Sell of Kalispell and originally consisted of 2.75 acres. At the time Main Street did not run all the way to the courthouse but with a right of way being given by Kalispell City, Main Street was extended from the depot to the courthouse and much later was diverted around the building.
Courthouse construction started immediately, and continued until it was completed in 1905 although the building was occupied in 1903.
Although the courthouse was designed with a clock tower- a clock was never installed.
Listed on the National Historic Register
Two large spruce trees in front of the Flathead County Historic Courthouse are scheduled to be cut down this winter.
(Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake). Used by permission Daily Interlake
Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2015 7:17 pm
By LYNNETTE HINTZE Daily Inter Lake
Two towering spruce trees that have framed the north side of the Flathead County Courthouse for a century are scheduled to be removed this winter because one of the trees has decayed and poses a safety hazard.
County Maintenance Director Jed Fisher told the commissioners on Thursday he’s aware there likely will be a public outcry to save the landmark trees, but he described a dire situation, particularly for the tree on the west side of the courthouse lawn. That tree was damaged several years ago when a vehicle collided with it, and decay set in.
Both trees, which stand about 72 feet tall, have been topped through the years and thus are top-heavy, Fisher said.
There’s also an aesthetic component.
If one tree is removed, it makes sense to take them both down and plant new trees to keep the symmetrical appearance, he said. The work is best accomplished during the winter months, Fisher added. New trees would be planted to take their place, though no decision has been made about what kind of replacement trees would be planted.
Commissioner Phil Mitchell said he brought the matter to the county’s attention several months ago when Denny Foster of Lakeside, a local logger, alerted him about the potential safety hazard.
The county sought advice from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, which took core borings from the trees. The borings revealed “advanced rot” on the westside tree.
“We believe it is in the best interest of the county to remove that tree,” state forester Rick Moore advised in a letter. “This tree will only continue to decline and we believe it is in your best interest to remove the existing tree and plant a new one as soon as possible.”
The westside tree has an uplifted root collar and will continue to decay internally, he said.
After analyzing the cones from the trees, Moore determined the trees were Colorado blue spruce.
If the county wants further assessment it would need to consult with a certified arborist, Moore suggested.
“Weather is always an unknown,” he said. “Any tree will snap or uproot if the wind is strong enough or the snow heavy enough to accomplish it.”
He noted in his report that the eastside tree, while sound throughout the lower trunk, has a fork near its top that could be an issue in high wind or heavy snow.
Borings showed both trees to be about 100 years old.
The trees are in close proximity to the courthouse, U.S. 93 and several sidewalks.
“I’d hate to see one of these trees fall against the courthouse,” Mitchell said.
Posted: Monday, July 13, 2015 9:00 pm
By MATT HUDSON/Daily Inter Lake : Used by Permission, Daily Interlake
The tower in the old Flathead County Courthouse will become a timepiece.
Officials plan to install two clocks near the top of the tower, facing north and south for Main Street drivers and pedestrians.
The project is the brainchild of Bigfork resident Stan Fisher, who brought a proposal to Flathead County commissioners in April. The proposal sat dormant until a surprise gift was made.
“About two weeks ago, I got a call from Jed Fisher and he said, ‘Pick out the clock that looks the best,’” Stan Fisher said.
Jed Fisher is the county building maintenance administrator. He said in April that the clock project likely would need to be privately funded.
Stan Fisher said that a donor gave $9,800 to the county for the clock installation. He added that the donor wished to remain anonymous.
Fisher is consulting with Americlock Inc. on the project. The Missouri-based company installed the clock at Village Square in Bigfork.
Fisher said that he felt the courthouse tower seemed like the right place to put a clock. He was surprised to learn that one hadn’t been there in the building’s long history.
But it’s never too late to add to that history.
“I’ve always thought that hole in the wall looks kind of vacant,” Fisher said.
The clocks would replace round windows that were installed in 2011 during the $2.7 million renovation of the historic courthouse.
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