01/17/2026
We love being part of Historic Downtown Kalispell!
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Hey! Itâs History Friday!
This week we have a photo of the inside of what was once The Brewery Saloon in 1910, and what is now Sassafras in 2026!
The building is located at 120 Main Street in Kalispell and was originally constructed in 1892 as The Brewery Saloon, one of the first brick buildings on Main Street, operated by German immigrants Charles and Henry Lindlahr. Known for fiveâcent draft beers, free lunches, and an ornate mahogany and oak bar, it became a centerpiece of Kalispellâs early social and red-light district. In 1900, a second floor was added to house the men only Kalispell Club, offering billiards, reading rooms, card rooms, and the townâs first bowling alley. Over the decades, the building saw everything from a 1907 murderâsuicide outside its back entrance to government ordered ownership changes in 1919, and it adapted during Prohibition by selling candy, fishing gear, and soda while discreetly continuing liquor activities. It later endured gambling raids in the 1970s and a significant, but historically insensitive, remodel.
In 2001, the buildingâs original Victorian Queen Anne facade was meticulously restored, returning it to its early architectural look. Today, it houses Sassafras Art CoâOp, a collaborative marketplace that has the inside riddled with works from local artisans. Its butterâyellow, maroon, and silver exterior now welcomes visitors while preserving over a century of local history. Sassafras has operated in this location since its founding, continuing the buildingâs legacy as an active and beloved part of downtown Kalispell.
Source: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2014/06/10/landmarks-the-brewery-saloon/ https://www.sassafrascoop.com/our-history https://montanahistoriclandscape.com/2016/10/09/kalispells-main-street-business-district/
Photo: https://historicmt.org/items/show/465, 2026 photo taken by library staff, Liz Camarillo.
For more on Montana history, check out the 97.6 section of the library!