At first, this landmark home at 320 Fifth Ave. E. appears to be in the “wrong” place – if not the wrong region. And when you look beyond its attractive Southwest-inspired exterior, you may notice some of the telltale signs of architectural addition and subtraction.
Considering the history of the house, you may notice an obvious historical concept: things change – and sometimes a lot.
The Donovan House was originally a fraction of its current size. It was a small, wood-framed home, most likely a typical Foursquare (a simple, single-story, four-room house with a front porch). The roofline above the front door may reveal the shape of the early structure that was completed in 1894.
The Foursquare style was both popular and practical in the late Victorian era when a home was typically regarded as a sanctuary. It was a place where the world was kept outside and the focus of life was kept inside.
However, people and their perception of “home” began to change in the early 1900s. This change in perspective helps explain some of the changes in the original structure, which was expanded and transformed into a “post and wing” style home. This allowed for more space, but also allowed more room for entertaining guests yet keep more “private” places private.
In this regard, the home was quite fitting to one of its early resident families: the Peplows. Charles Peplow could easily find quietude and rejuvenation from his job managing one of Kalispell’s busiest flour mills. Meanwhile, his wife Eva had space and accommodation for her decorating and entertaining activities as the Peplows were quite socially active.
In 1930, Jennie Donovan and her sister Ann purchased the home. Miss Donovan also personified another characteristic of “house and home” that was a hallmark of the era: a house was a home, but also a place of purpose.
As an elementary school teacher, Miss Donovan was hardly among the richest of Flathead Valley citizenry. Yet like many people who cherished modesty (more than money), she gave more than she had. Miss Donovan used the home to gather clothes and prepare food to give to her students – the children whose families had fallen upon the harder times and circumstances of the era.
The Donovan sisters lived in the home from 1930 until Jennie passed away in 1947. Their ownership marks a time when “family” had a broader, more dependable meaning. This was a time when “families” commonly owned homes – not just “husband and wife” families – but families of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, sisters, brothers, and nearly every other form of kinship bought homes together and lived together to not only achieve, but survive.
Indeed, this was an era when family mattered, when being a good neighbor mattered, and when giving seemed to matter more than taking.
Nowadays, it’s hard to walk past the Donovan House and ignore curiosity and nostalgia (especially when you notice the telling signs of architectural transformation). Yet in some ways, when you understand the character of its namesake owners, it’s harder not to yearn for their benevolence and humbleness, which reveal another historical concept: times have changed.
Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and architecture. Share your ideas and historical facts with him at [email protected]. Also visit facebook.com/flatheadvalleylandmarks. Jaix is also the author of the upcoming book series “Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in the Flathead Valley, Montana, 1887-1917.”