Montpelier 1890
This photograph of Montpelier taken in 1890 was brought to The News-Examiner by Mrs. Frank Burg of Montpelier. It belonged to her father, the late Enoch Bagley of Raymond, who was the first subscriber to the Montpelier Examiner.
The R W Gee building, with the hitching post in from, faced the railroad tracks as did the old Cottage Hotel, to the right. Looking up Washington street, the white frame building has been identified as Miller’s Drug Store, later the John Brennan store. Continuing on the left of the street, is the old Arcade Hotel, later the Hoff and Rose Hotel. This latter structure known in recent years as the Harrison Hess building, just of the Boise Payette, is the one identifiable building still standing intact in its original location.
Looking eastward along Washington, the first of four homes stands on what is now the Silver Grill corner. The larger building beyond is the YMCA building, later the Burgoyne Hotel and which was moved to its present location forming part of the present Downing apartments. Just above was the Knights of Labor building, later the Hunter House, moved and still standing north of the First Security Bank.
A good portion of the downtown business district 66 years ago was located along the tracks north of Washington street. These included a restaurant, three saloons and two mercantile establishments. Thanks are extended to Mrs. Josephine Driver and Fred L Cruikshank for help in identifying the old landmarks.