Celebrating History: Lots going on in Havre

By Emily Mayer

Havre's continued growth and prosperity were showcased in the newspapers this week 100 years ago. The June 10, 1916, issue of The Hill County Democrat carried these three articles on its front page:

Havre Creamery Business is Steadily Growing

H. A. Tasker, manager of the Havre Creamery, left Thursday evening for Shelby and will later view the farmers in that general vicinity, pointing out to them the advantage of shipping their cream to this city. Next week Mr. Tasker will go out among the farmers of this vicinity upon a similar campaign. The business of the creamery in this city is growing rapidly, the products proving most popular with the trade.

DOUBLING CAPACITY OF HAVRE AUTO CO.

H. B. Schwartz, proprietor of the Havre Auto company, has commenced work upon an addition to his establishment that will double the already large capacity of the place.

The addition is 45 feet wide by 61 feet deep and will give an entrance right through to the alley from First street, and make one of the most commodious garages in this section of the state.

New Building

William and Anna Blashfield, the owners of the Park Hotel, are now putting up a large two story brick on their lot on First street just south of the Park Hotel. The building will be 30 by 70 feet and modern in every particular. The first floor will be rented for lodging purposes. Jestrab Brothers, the well-known hardware men will occupy the first floor.

I'm certain the author of the article meant that the second floor of the expanded Park Hotel was to be used for lodging, and Jestrab Brothers would use the first floor. One can still see the addition to the original Park Hotel when viewing the east side of the building, which faces Fourth Avenue from Main to First Streets.

The Havre Plaindealer carried this news of growth in its issue of the same date:

PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR FARMERS ELEVATOR CO.

Substantial Dividend Paid Holders of the Captial Stock.

The regular meeting of directors of the Farmers Co-Operative Association owners of the Farmers elevator in this city, held at the Farmers State Bank last Saturday, a dividend of fifty per cent on the capital stock paid in was ordered distributed among the stockholders, and the secretary is now engaged in making up the dividend checks. Inasmuch as this elevator was established at a time when crop conditions were not exceptionally promising, the officers are justly elated over the showing made.

The directors decided to place additional stock upon the market, in the amount of four thousand dollars, and interested persons may learn details by calling upon J. J. Blair, secretary of the company.

The meeting was not the only news announced about the Farmers State Bank. This entry in the "Local News" social pages of the June 5, 1916 Havre Daily Promoter shows a change:

The Riggs rooming house, over the Farmers State Bank, changed hands June 1st, the property being acquired by Mrs. Esther Rudie. Mrs. Riggs retains the beauty parlors and will continue to conduct them in the rooming house.

The Farmers State Bank is where the Frank DeRosa Railroad Museum and the office of Havre Beneath the Streets are now located.

The Promoter's June 9, 1916 "Local news" had this short entry:

Mrs. Forge has removed her store to the Masonic Temple where she will take pleasure in welcoming her friends and patrons.

This article appeared the following day on the Promoter's front page:

FORGES LADIES STORE MOST HANDSOME IN STATE

Mrs. Florence Forge has removed her store to the new Masonic Temple. Part of the fixtures for the store have not yet arrived but are expected in within a few days. The store when finished will excel any ladies' style store in the state and will have few equals in the West. The furniture for the store has been especially constructed to suit the store and is as rich as can be purchased. It is mahogany. Off from the main store are rooms for fitting and are so arranged to have splendid light. There are dust proof cases of glass where finer gowns are kept.

This ad was also in the "Local News" section of the same date:

Pianos for rent. Chas. J. Kops. New Masonic Bldg."

The Plaindealer's "Society" column carried several gatherings. Here is one of those fabulous parties:

Surprise Party.

Tuesday, May 31st was Mrs. Peter J. Martin's 26th wedding anniversary, and she was pleasantly surprised by a number of friends who gathered at her home in the evening, and presented her with a set of Haviland china. Cards and dancing formed the amuseument, and at a late hour refreshments were served.