This is a collection of stand-alone interviews pulled together by Archives and Special Collections around the topic of businesses in Montana. The interviewees discuss Montana banks, breweries, grocery stories, hotels, and mercantiles as well as their experiences as business owners. These interviews were conducted from the 1974 to 1992. The original interviews are held at Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection includes 11 interviews.
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Birchwood Hostel Oral History Interview, June 4, 2021
Italo E. "Ernie" Franceschi, Gayl Tiechert, and Johanna Maria "Joke" van Zee
Ernie Franceschi, Gayl Tiechert, and Joke van Zee discuss working with the organization BikeCentennial in setting up bicycle trips and arranging overnight accommodations for the bicyclers. This work led to the establishment of the Birchwood Hostel in Missoula, Montana in 1977 which was modeled after ... Read More
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Clifford Hammond Rittenour Interview, February 8, 1966
Clifford Hammond Rittenour
Clifford Hammond Rittenour, who served as a delegate to Republican National Convention from Montana, discusses the events that led to his family’s move to Missoula, including his early memories and first impressions of the town. He briefly describes the early architecture of Missoula, Montana and ... Read More
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Eldo Raph Interview, November 13, 1986
Eldo Raph
Eldo Raph talks about the history of the Dillon Implement Company from its founding and incorporation on October 24, 1886, to its succession of owners during the early and mid-20th century. Raph describes the kinds of the things the company original sold including farm equipment, ... Read More
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H. Elmer Kirkemo Interview, September 23, 1986
H. Elmer Kirkemo
H. Elmer Kirkemo, who came to Missoula in 1920 and got his architect license in 1924, recounts his work as a draftsman for A. J. Gibson on the Wilma building. Over his 40 years as an architect, he estimates that he built 294 buildings, including ... Read More
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J. E. Meyers Interview, July 1984
J. E. Meyers
J.E. Meyers discusses the history of the Missoula Mercantile from 1939 up to the 1970s. He talks about the purchase of the Mercantile by Allied Stores and its conversion to the Bon Marché. Meyers describes the McLeod family’s ownership of the Mercantile and how they ... Read More
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Kirby Hoon Interview, November 15, 1979
Kirby Hoon
Kirby Hoon talks about growing up in Helena, Montana during the early 20th century. He describes the Broadwater Hotel in Helena before the 1935 earthquake. Hoon also discusses his family.
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Mabel Tuchscherer Interview, April 2, 1992
Mabel Tuchscherer
Mabel Tuchscherer discusses her family history, including how her family arrived in Butte, Montana and how they became involved in the brewing industry. She describes how the business was effected by Prohibition and the family decision to start producing soft drinks under the Anaconda Products ... Read More
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Pearle Rhein Interview, November 15, 1979
Pearle Rhein
Pearle Rhein discusses growing up in Helena, Montana, including her early memories of Central Park and the Broadwater Hotel. She describes the history of Helena, including experiences the town has had with earthquakes, the Broadwater properties, and Colonel Broadwater. Rhein also discusses her family and ... Read More
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Stan Logan Interview, January 27, 2005
Stan Logan
Stan Logan discusses opening his shoe repair business in 1979 Missoula, Montana. He describes working with Hide and Sole, a shoe company also based in Missoula and how economic conditions have changed in Montana since he first opened. He discusses how his clientele used to ... Read More
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Ted Jacobs Interview, December 19, 1974
Ted Jacobs
Ted Jacobs discusses the history of Missoula banks from 1910-1974. He talks about A.R. Jacobs, his father and president of First National Bank in Missoula, Montana. Ted Jacobs also describes banking regulations in relation to the bank failures of the 1920s. He provides a brief ... Read More
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Tom Haines Interview, March 4, 1981
Tom Haines
Tom Haines talks about of his grocery store, the OK Trading Company, in Missoula, Montana. He describes the important role of the Missoula Mercantile which served as a wholesaler and financial adviser and institution to all Missoula area grocery stores. Haines discusses the effectiveness of ... Read More