Site of Spottswood Mansion still evokes feelings of loss

 

 

March 06, 2005 12:00 am  • by Evelyn King

 

 

The near, south side of Missoula has been in the news of late. To me, this particular neighborhood has always been the heart and soul of the city. Perhaps because various addresses there have been my home for more than half a century.

 

There was a time, when the King kids were very small, I thought it would be great to live in the country, such as Orchard Homes (which is now no longer “country” but cluttered with housing developments).

 

When they reached school age, I realized the south side was ideal. They could walk to school, the “new” Roosevelt. (This was before city kids were bused to schools across town or into the country). They could also walk everywhere, to the movies or to the library, to the swimming pool at McCormick and to the playground at Sacajawea.

 

After renting various places for a dozen years, an inheritance from my grandmother was enough for a down payment on a house. As a traditional, and perhaps, sentimental person, I have become very attached to the home we purchased and the neighborhood. (When married, again, a dozen years ago, I warned Dick I could never be weaned away from the old house. It’s still in the King Family.)

 

I have been a longtime observer of the evolving and dissolving of buildings and change of neighborhoods. Some admirable and others destructive. Each time I hear of a proposed change, I wonder if it will be progress or regress? A welcome addition or temporary infill, taking up space, shading yards and spoiling the view for others? Or maybe just a parking lot?

 

The proposed condo and project going up at the corner of Brooks and Higgins brought such thoughts to mind. Early plans appear positive and it was good to note the old University Apartments will be spared. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as much of the south side neighborhood.

 

This latest proposed project near Hellgate High School also brought to mind the loss of one of Missoula’s fine, old mansions and grounds that once filled the entire block behind the school. It was the Spottswood Estate, only one of two mansions in the entire Garden City. The other was the Greenough Mansion.

 

The stately old home, carriage house and grounds with towering trees covered the entire block between Eddy and Connell Avenues. Everyone knew where the Spottswood Mansion was located. I was fortunate enough to have a more intimate acquaintance with it. My mother was a cook for Mrs. Spottswood for several years. There was also a housekeeper, chauffeur and gardener.

 

The time was during the late 50s, long after the “heyday” of the mansion. Mrs. Spottswood was the lone resident. Both she and my mother were aging seniors. Mother’s sole duty was to cook for Mrs. Spottswood and her occasional guests. This included an occasional dinner party with a half-dozen guests.

 

All other times, Mom prepared meals just for the lady of the house and herself. Mrs. Spottswood ate her lunches and breakfast in a small, bright sun room off the main dining hall. The dining room was furnished with an elegant, formal banquet-size table and chairs. There was rich carpet on the floor and embossed leather covering the walls. Mrs. Spottswood always dined at the huge table for her evening meal. There was a button or switch underneath the carpet near her feet so she could summon the cook for her next course.

 

Mother ate alone in the kitchen. Often, when dinner was over and the dishes done, Mrs. S. invited Mom to bring her sewing and they sat and visited in the parlor while doing needlework.

 

Mother had her own small apartment on the second floor of the mansion, with a bedroom, sitting room and bath.

 

When Mrs. Spottswood traveled on occasion, she gave Mom permission to have her family over. We ate in splendor in the spacious dining room. The King kids thought it great fun to “ring the bell” and call Grandma from the kitchen. (She ate with us.)

 

Originally, the mansion was built as a summer vacation home by Dr. Spottswood, for his family. They only resided there a few months and spent the rest of the year in the South or East or traveling throughout the world. The many-roomed mansion was filled with antiques, paintings and memorabilia from their extensive travels. Especially memorable was the full-size replica of a Dutch Boy, perched on the mantle above the fireplace in the entry way, which was a large as a hotel lobby.

 

Several years rolled by. Contrary to some romance novels, the chauffeur, a widower, married my mother, the cook, instead of the owner of the mansion. She then moved from her apartment in the mansion to living quarters in the carriage house.

 

Not long after this event, Mrs. Spottswood decided to leave Missoula and move to the coast with her daughter. According to rumor, she offered her entire property to the city and then the school board for $50,000. Neither wanted it. It was also said she offered to donate the property and was still turned down. Later, it was sold to a private buyer and the mansion demolished.

 

She gave the furnishings away, many of the antiques went to the university, where they may be collecting dust in storage.

 

The mansion, the owner, cook and chauffeur have been gone now for many years. Driving by the area, I still feel a sense of loss. Not only personal, but for the city.

 

The Spottswood Estate would have made a fine museum and park. Now, just a memory and a photo in the hall of Southgate Mall.

 

Evelyn King is a retired Missoulian reporter. Her column appears every Sunday in the Territory section. Reach her by writing: Evelyn King, Missoulian, P.O. Box 8029, Missoula, MT 59807

 

 

The article above appeared in The Missoulian March 6, 2005