05/31/2026
Today is the last day to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month. For the first half of May, I focused on buildings still part of Havre's historic inventory. For the second half, I focused on what we have lost. And we have lost a lot...too much, in fact.
Which makes saving what we still have important, as important as new construction. Havre is HAVRE, not some other community. What makes our town Havre is our history and the buildings that were a part of those events. Parking lots and glorified pole barns mean little. The five words I don't like saying when giving a tour is "On this place once stood".
As many know, I own the two oldest homes in Havre, the historic Boone/Dalrymple home at 132 Third Street, and the neighboring historic Mathews home at 124 Third Street. Both are contributing structures to the Havre, Montana Residential Historic District and are important to Havre's history. I worked hard to save both from the wrecking ball, and am working still to achieve a dream others have tried to destroy.
It's hard to have significant others, and outside people, in your life that don't share the same dream and vision as I do, even though it was made clear this was always part of my plan and initially that was agreed upon. For some reason, the thought that putting up roadblocks would eliminate those goals would work. All that did was take time, energy and resources away from saving these two homes for future generations to enjoy and study. It never killed my dream, and I'm working hard to make them a reality.
When you take my tours, buy my books, book me for a presentation, or watch my videos, you are helping to make that dream a reality. Your support is very much appreciated!
When I started posting for National Historic Preservation Month on May 1, the number of followers I had was around 800. It's now over 1,500. Havre and Hill County's history is my passion and calling in life, and I think you can see it shows.
I want to leave something for the community behind that it will appreciate and treasure as much as it does Havre Beneath the Streets, Friends of Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump, the Clack Museum, and Fort Assinniboine. The homes of our ancestors are important to Havre, and we still have the two oldest right here to preserve for the future.
Thank you for your likes, sharing your memories and information, and your support. If you have any questions, you can ask them here or call me at 406-399-5225.
Here is a picture of the historic Mathews home. It was built circa 1898, but I don't know who the original owner was. The newspapers indicate that around 1900, the Jefferson Hood family lived here. Later, they sold the home to the Fryburg (or Fryberg) family, who were railroaders. In order for Mr. Fryburg to move up the ranks, he had to move and just before Thanksgiving 1904, the home was sold to John F. and Catherine Mathews. They had 6 children who survived infancy, and their story is interesting to say the least. During Prohibition, Mr. Mathews was the bookkeeper for Pat Yeon, one of Havre's biggest bootleggers. He and Shorty Young were joined at the hip. There must have been a benefit to being the bootlegger's bookkeeper, because there is a false wall in the basement. Behind that wall are hundreds of bottles that date to Prohibition!
There's a lot more history to the home. It was rented to boarders to help pay the bills. Ila McClenahan told me she lived here when she attended college. I'm sure there are more stories out there.
The home's interior is gorgeous! Don't let the exterior scare you-the bones are great and the woodwork is gorgeous, but it does need work. Which is what I'm working so hard to do!
Do you have memories of this home? Or someone who lived here? Please share your memories!
And again, thank you so very much for your support!
