Interviewer
Edward "Stan" Healy
Files
Description
Claude Elder describes the construction of the 1892 Higgins Avenue bridge in Missoula, Montana. He recalls the flood of 1908, which delayed the construction of a newer bridge. He talks about Higgins Avenue before it was paved and describes many of the buildings and businesses that existed in during the late 19th century and early 20th century including the Florence Hotel, multiple Chinese laundries, and the Missoula Hotel. Elder discusses the events that were celebrated in Missoula such as the Fourth of July and Chinese New Year, due to the large population of Chinese immigrants in Montana at that time. He mentions the circuses that came through the town on a regular basis. Elder also describes the different theaters in downtown Missoula including the Blue Bird and Harnois. He concludes by describing the Native American peoples who came through Missoula, including Chief Charlo of the Salish tribe, and he talks at length about the roundhouse whistle.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Missoula, Montana history; University of Montana, Missoula, history; Higgins Avenue, Missoula, Montana; Front Street, Missoula, Montana; Chinese laundries, Montana; Chinese immigrants, Montana; Northern Pacific Railway [NPR]
Original Date
1963
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Stan Healy Collection of Early Missoula History, OH 114, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 114-001
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
4 reel-to-reel analog + 1 transcript (15 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:49:07 minutes
Local Filename
OH_114_001.mp3; OH_114_001.pdf
Citation
Elder, Claude, "Claude Elder Interview, 1963" (1963). Stan Healy Collection of Early Missoula History. 3.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/stanhealy_missoulahistoryinterviews/3