Helena weekly herald., 1889-11-28
FAIR MISSOULA.
A Country of Rich Resources and olty OF
Great Possibilities.
Great Activity in Real Estate, Mining and
Railroading.
Striking Features of the Western MetropO-
hs-A Prosperous Present and
Promising Future.

of Helenl,on the main line OF the Northern
Pacific railroad, the transcOntinental trav-
eler reaches the pretty and prosperous city
of Missoula and Just at this time there ls
no place on that long highway OF COM
merce that presents more inviting induce
ments for a few days sojourn than does the
furnishing town on the banks of the Mis-
sonia river. Like all Western Montana
settlements, Missoula is a mountain town.
Nesting at the foot of picturesque hills
covered with natural forest, at the mouth
of Hell Gate canyon, the city occupies
commanding position at the head OF the
Missoula valley. On the north and east
high bluffs form the boundaries OF the
city. On the south and west there is moth
ing to impede its growth, the valley stretch
ing out in both directions for miles. The
townsite, comprising originally only forty
acres. lies on the north bank of the Mis-
sonia liver, the stream which is formed by
the confluence of the He'll Gate and Big
Blackfoot rivers and whoee waters miDgIe
with the Pen d'Oreille further west and
form the Clarks Fork of the Columbia.
With the growth of business
NEW ADDITIONS
were laid out stretching from the river to
The bluffs and within the past year, such
has been the progress of the times, the city
has leaped across It's watery southern
boundary and now stretches out in new
additions over the level bench land that
lies so beautifully on that side of the
stream. This great plateau is gravelly
bed stretching from the Bitter Root to the
MissouIa river and bounded on the south
by the lofty and picturesque Bitter Root
range of mountains. On this stretch OF
land there is room for q Chicago or New
York. and that MissOula has metropolitan
aspirations is evident from the fact that
she has already plated six hundred
acres on this side Of the river. This acreage
is comprised in several new additions, not
ably the Knowles addition, the Stephens q
Bickford addition and others. With the
old townsite and the Mccormick, Higgins
and other additions on the north side, the
area of plated ground now embraced in the
corporate limits of Missoula is about / 200
acres. North Missoula is well built up, but
as vet there are few buildings on the south
side, though several new houses are pro-
iected for next year for that quarter, which
will no doubt become the residence part of
the city. This section, which is called
South Missoula, is
THE REAL ESTATE CENTER
at present and has been the scene of some
great transactions during the past few
months. Helena capitalists have recently
bought property here in large tracts, and
the considerations mentioned in the con-
veyauces for the same range from
$4,000 to over 100000 for single deal.
About three months ago property values
took q Jump and have been rising ever
since. What caused the rise? is the ques-
ton most frequently asked. 1t Is best an
swered by asking what caused the rise In
property in Helena and other progressive
cities. Missoula is the center OF one OF the
richest sections Of Montana. Its enterpris-
ing merchants do a large jobbing trade.
Its lumber industries are extensive and
constantly growing, its timber resources be-
ing practically illimitable. The prospect
of two new railroads next year and other
great improvements, together with the fact
that the place has passed the village stage
and become city-all these and other con-
siderations of similar import are the cause
of Missoulas boom. 1t is solid, substan-
tial town with the promise of a great
future. and it seems to be only question
of few years. until its grand destiny will
be worked out
THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.
What the condition of the real estate
market is can be seen from one statement
made on good authority. Within the past
two months over 1000 acres of outlying
property and about 800 town lots have
changed hands at an aggregate considera.
tion of $5OO,O0O The rise in property val
ues has been rapid and some marvellous
stories are told of lucky speculations. Lots
which were bought for $25 and $50 few
months ago are now selling at from $500 to
$500 apiece, and one piece of inside prop
erty which was bought in September for
$500 cannot now be touched for 81 500.
The appreciation of values is general and
applies to all kinds of property. Land
which could have been bought last sum-
mer for $50 to SIS per acre has sold for
500 and $3.50 in the past month. In the
business portion lots are worth all the way
from 81 900 to $4,000. All through the
city and suburbs lots are 30x130 feet,
blocks 36Ox28O feet, alleys are 20
feet wide and the streets are 80 and
100 feet broad. Nearly all the streets are
close to 100 feet in width, one notable ex-
ception being Front street, at present the
main business thoroughfare, which is be-
tween 60 and 20 feet wide Business, how
ever. is expanding, and there is already
large trade carried on on Main street and
hot hon a
thoroughfares bristling with new and ele-
CANT buildings.
BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS.
In the past year several handsome and
substantial business blocks have been
erected, and the improvements for twelve
months will probably aggregate half mil
lion. Notable among the new structures
are the Higgins block, which will cost
$4,000. the Missoula Mercantile Co.. q
block. the Florence Hotel and the Western
Montana National Bank. The work of i'm
movement promises to be even greater next
wear The Miesoula Mercantile company
have the founda ion laid for an $4,000
structure on Front street, and have several
other new business blocks projected. A
new hotel of mooern dimensions is also
among the possibilities and new court
house is said to be assured. A number of
new tenement houses will also be forth
coming, as there is not vacant house or
store room in the town. Rents are at a
good figure and are cheerfully paid. Offices
can be had for $50 to 500 per month,
stores $125 to $50, and five room houses
$40 to $25.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Missoula has several creditable public in-