The Andreas Michelsen Farmstead was originally built as a two-room house in 1902 by Andreas Michelsen. In 1912, an addition to the home was made, resulting in a total of seven rooms, and little has changed since. The homestead consists of a 1 1/2-story Victorian-style farmhouse with a wraparound porch, and various outbuildings including a barn, granary, calving shed, coal shed, machine shed, storage cellar, corrals and pens, and an outhouse . Landscape elements on the property include a dugout, cistern and filter, and garden. The farmstead is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue & 6th Street, on the west half of four blocks in the northwest corner of the National Historic Site of Stirling, Alberta .
38-611: The home remained in the Michelsen family until 1995 when the village, in partnership with the Stirling Historical Society, bought the homestead to turn into an interpretative center. The homestead was registered as a Provincial Historic Resource and added to the Alberta Register of Historic Places. The Stirling Historical Society has since restored the property to its original 19th-century style, and
76-819: A "Provincial Historic Area", and there are two such areas in Alberta: downtown Fort Macleod and Edmonton's Old Strathcona . Historic designation in Alberta is governed by the Historic Resources Act. The province also lists buildings deemed historically significant by municipal governments on the Alberta Register of Historic Places, which is also part of the larger Canadian Register of Historic Places although this does not imply provincial or federal government status or protection. The Alberta Main Street Program helps to preserve historic buildings in
114-472: A child. Carrie married Alfred Hirsche, and had five boys and one girl. Niels married Verda Spackman, and had two boys and a girl. Daniel married Lulu Barton, and had four boys and two girls. Soren (Sirn) married Elva Lybbert, and had three girls and two boys. Sirn and his wife Elva raised their family in the Michelsen Farmstead. Sirn died there in 1978. One of Sirn's cowboy buddies, Earl Bascom,
152-481: A household in the city was $ 28,567, and the median income for a family was $ 36,554. Males had a median income of $ 29,431 versus $ 20,122 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,224. About 10.1% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over. According to the City's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for
190-607: A large family of four boys and four girls. The oldest daughter, Lena, was born on October 8, 1880, in Denmark. The Michelsens' joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Around 1882, as was common at the time, to be closer to the church, Andreas, Kirsten, and Lena immigrated to Monroe, Utah . They had seven more children in Monroe. In 1900 the church called on some of its people to move to Alberta, where land
228-440: A more circuitous but flatter route via Whitefish and Eureka already in 1904. As the largest city in northwest Montana, Kalispell serves as the county seat and commercial center of Flathead County . The city is considered a secondary trade center with a trade area of approximately 130,000. The city is home to Logan Health Medical Center, which has a 150-bed hospital facility. The railroad history through Kalispell ended in 2018 when
266-549: Is a Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake". The first European settler to explore the Flathead Valley was likely surveyor Peter Fidler of the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 18th century. From 1870, permanent settlement and the introduction of livestock brought permanent changes, as did the near-eradication of local bison populations. In 1884, a short-lived town called Ashley was founded where Kalispell
304-563: Is a city in Montana and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana , United States. The 2020 census put Kalispell's population at 24,558. Among cities in Montana, it is the 8th largest by area, 7th most populous, and 8th fastest growing from 2010 to 2020. In Montana's northwest region, it is the largest city and the commercial center of the Kalispell Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name Kalispell
342-485: Is a tertiary institution. Kalispell has a public library , a branch of the Flathead County Library. Kalispell is at the intersection of U.S. Routes 2 and 93 . Commercial air service is offered at Glacier Park International Airport , approximately 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Kalispell off U.S. Route 2 between Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Kalispell City Airport , in the southern part of
380-1017: Is in Kalispell Elementary School District, while a portion is in West Valley Elementary School District , and a very small piece is in Whitefish Elementary School District. Almost all of Kalispell is in Flathead High School District, while a small piece is in Whitefish High School District. There are two high schools in Kalispell (both of the Flathead district), Flathead High School and Glacier High School . Flathead Valley Community College
418-566: Is today. Three years later nearby Demersville was founded. Demersville quickly grew to be the largest town in the area, but when the Great Northern Railroad bypassed the town it was abandoned just as quickly, with people moving the short distance to the new town of Kalispell. As the Great Northern Railroad built its continent-spanning railroad line in the 19th century, a need for a Divisional point in
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#1732783867806456-658: The United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 11.73 square miles (30.38 km ), of which 11.64 square miles (30.15 km ) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km ) is water. Kalispell is 7 miles (11 km) north of Flathead Lake , the largest natural freshwater lake in the western U.S. by surface area. The city has a warm-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfb ), with long, cold, and moderately snowy winters, hot and dry summers, and short springs and autumns. Snow usually occurs from late October/early November to March. As of
494-517: The census of 2010, there were 19,927 people, 8,638 households, and 4,944 families living in the city. The population density was 1,711.9 inhabitants per square mile (661.0/km ). There were 9,379 housing units at an average density of 805.8 per square mile (311.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White , 0.2% African American , 1.3% Native American , 1.0% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.6% from other races , and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of
532-428: The homeless population in the town. The city government has previously begun passing ordinances in 2022 that punished anyone that helped homeless people in Kalispell, such as giving out food, supplies, or money. They also shut off water and electricity in the local park so it couldn't be utilized by homeless in the area. The county commissioners also released an open letter calling on residents to actively unite against
570-547: The Church in 1904 for the work done on the Canal. In 1902 a small two-room house was built on this parcel of land which was later added onto by a local carpenter, George Oler in 1912. Andreas was very active in church and community affairs and was a part of the Stirling Town Council for a year in 1909, and then again in 1913-1914. Andreas and his four sons; Niels, Sirn, Dan, and Drace farmed and raised cattle around
608-496: The Flathead Valley was identified. Using his own capital, Charles Edward Conrad, a businessman and banker from Fort Benton, Montana , formed the Kalispell Townsite Company with three other men, all from Great Northern board of directors. The town took its name from the local native tribe , adding an extra "L" for good measure. "Kalispell" is a Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake". The townsite
646-584: The Michelsen Farmstead can still be seen today even though no Michelsen's now reside in the home. In 2001 the Andreas Michelsen Homestead was declared a Provincial Historic Resource with the house and outbuildings restored to the period of the 1930s. Andreas Michelsen was born in Sleth, Denmark September 20, 1857. His wife, Kirsten Marie, was born in Aarhus , Denmark April 3, 1854. They had
684-579: The Stirling district as well as Wrentham by horses until tractors were invented. By then they had their very own Threshing machine . Andreas (Drace) Niels, and Dan played basketball in Stirling and won champions for several years. Lena had married James Austin and had a son living in Cardston, then Kalispell, Montana . She married for a second time to Sam Lessard. Andreas (Drace) was never married, Annie married Urbann Young and had two boys. Hulda died as
722-682: The city purchased and tore up the long abandoned track through the city. The city of Kalispell removed the remaining downtown trackage, relocating the railroad to Glacier Rail Park , a new industrial park just north of town; abandoning 2.4 miles of the original route. Nestled in the Flathead valley, Kalispell is 31 miles (50 km) from Glacier National Park and 22 miles (35 km) from Hungry Horse Dam . Skiers have access to Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big Mountain and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area , each 17 miles (27 km) away. Flathead Lake ,
760-486: The city, offers general aviation service. Amtrak 's Empire Builder service between Chicago and either Seattle, Washington , or Portland, Oregon , is available in Whitefish , approximately 15 miles (24 km) north. Eagle Transit, an agency of Flathead County, offers local transit service within and connecting Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish, as well as paratransit demand-responsive service. Kalispell
798-427: The city. The population density was 2,605.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,006.1/km ). There were 6,532 housing units at an average density of 1,196.7 per square mile (462.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 95.84% White, 0.28% African American, 1.22% Native American , 0.56% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.39% from other races , and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of
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#1732783867806836-475: The doorway between the two rooms and play whatever the dancers desired. If the group was larger and the weather was good, the dancers were moved to the loft of the barn. Michelsen barn dances were popular for more than 75 years. As time went on, the day liner to Lethbridge offered new opportunities to the residents of Stirling and the surrounding area. But the Michelsen Farmstead remained a favorite gathering place – though its focus had changed slightly. Farmers from
874-520: The downtowns of smaller communities. The Heritage Survey Program is a survey of 80,000 historic buildings in Alberta, with no protective status. The official list as per the government of Alberta is: For a partial list of privately owned buildings or other sites that are designated as "Provincial Historic Resources" see: Kalispell, Montana Kalispell ( / ˈ k æ l ə ˌ s p ɛ l , ˌ k æ l ə ˈ s p ɛ l / , Montana Salish : Ql̓ispé , Kutenai language : Kqayaqawakⱡuʔnam )
912-484: The farmstead is now a museum, depicting life as it was from 1900 to the 1930s. Each summer, the Historical Society holds day camps for children and an old-fashioned harvest dance, which is held on the grounds of the Michelsen Farmstead every October. The Michelsen home was a community gathering place for many years, and the family hosted my dances typical of those house parties. The fiddler would lean against
950-595: The fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the top employers in the city are: Kalispell is home to the headquarters of the Montana Rifle Company . As of July 2014 , one of Montana's last mint farms, growing peppermint and spearmint , is near Kalispell. Kalispell Public Schools has two components: Kalispell Elementary School District and Flathead High School District. Whitefish Public Schools has two components: Whitefish Elementary School District and Whitefish High School District. Most of Kalispell
988-634: The homeless, which resulted in groups of younger people violently assaulting homeless in the town. The New York Times published an article in January 2024 about the homeless population of Kalispell, noting that many were residents who had recently undergone financial trouble that led to them losing their homes, such as having a divorce. Kalispell is located at 48°11′52″N 114°18′58″W / 48.19778°N 114.31611°W / 48.19778; -114.31611 (48.197801, −114.316068), at an elevation of 2,956 feet (901 m). According to
1026-616: The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi river, is 7 miles (11 km) away. Buffalo Hill Golf Club , designed by Robert Muir Graves , serves golfers in the region. The tribal schools nearby offer classes in the Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead language , a language nest , and intensive language training for adults. There is a Salish language school and training center in nearby Arlee, Montana. In 2023, Kalispell became nationally known for its violent actions against
1064-409: The population. Of the 8,638 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female family head with no husband present, 4.8% had a male family head with no wife present, and 42.8% were not classified as family units. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% were individuals 65 years old or older. The average household size
1102-456: The population. 21.7% were of German , 12.0% Irish , 11.3% Norwegian , 10.7% English and 6.6% United States or American ancestry. There were 6,142 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who
1140-485: The preferred "bad guys" in these games. This latter activity was a source of great concern to one neighbor who predicted a dark future for young boys who spent so much of their time in such "unlawful play". It is one of life’s little ironies that Glen Michelsen was the first Stirling native son to join the RCMP and two of his three brothers followed his example by making law enforcement their career. The continued importance of
1178-405: The provincial government and run as a functioning historic site or museum are known as Provincial Historic Sites. Buildings and sites owned by private citizens and companies or other levels or branches of government may gain one of two levels of historic designation, "Registered Historic Resource" or "Provincial Historic Resource". A concentration of several heritage buildings can be designated
Michelsen Farmstead - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-436: The surrounding area would often drive their teams to Stirling. They would then catch the train to Lethbridge leaving their team and wagon at the Michelsen farm, sometimes for several days. The popularity of the farm was not restricted to adults. Youngsters found the hayloft to be a perfect place to "sleep over" and the young Michelsen boys carried on endless "Cops and Robbers" shootouts with their friends. The Michelsen boys were
1254-464: Was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.94. The median age in the city was 34.5 years. A total of 25.1% of residents were under 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were between the ages of 25 and 44; 22.7% were between the ages 45 and 64, and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 14,223 people, 6,142 households, and 3,494 families living in
1292-447: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.209, and the average family size was 2.92. In the city, the population's age distribution shows 24.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males. The median income for
1330-421: Was abundant but arid and dry. Andreas and Kirstin took their two oldest children by train to Stirling, Alberta. Andreas was at first hesitant about permanently moving to Stirling but his four sons saw the opportunities the area had to offer. It was then decided that Stirling was a good choice for the family, so the four of them headed back to Utah to gather the rest of their family and belongings. In 1901, Stirling
1368-491: Was his wife Elva's first cousin. Earl Bascom, who was a famous cowboy artist, often stayed with Sirn and Elva at the Michelsen Farmstead which became a temporary studio where he created some of his artwork. July–August ; September ; May ; Provincial Historic Sites of Alberta Provincial historic sites of Alberta are museums and historic sites run by the Government of Alberta . Only sites owned by
1406-554: Was now called their new home. Shortly after arriving, Andreas and his sons were hired by the LDS Church on the construction of the canal from Kimball, Alberta to the Stirling Siding. The family first lived in a small tent between Cardston and Magrath called Pot Hole Coulee, once the canal was finished the family moved to their land in Stirling. The Michelsens' officially acquired their land in and around Stirling from
1444-404: Was quickly platted , and lots began selling by the spring of 1891. Kalispell was officially incorporated as a city in 1892, and Conrad built a large mansion there in 1895. Since that time, the city has continued to grow in population, reaching 19,927 in 2010. This growth persisted despite the railroad being rerouted from its original route over Haskell Pass, via Kalispell and Marion, Montana, to
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