Old Missoula

Hammond Early Arrival

Andrew B. Hammond, one of the founders of the Missoula Mercantile Co., was known by every pioneer of western Montana during the days he was in business in Missoula.

During his life of 86 years, Hammond distinguished himself as one of the makers of the west.

Born in Canada, July 22, 1848, Hammond’s career in Missoula began as a 19 year old when he came in search of gold on Cedar Creek. Upon discovering that all likely claims already were staked out, he continued on to Hell Gate. There he was employed by George White as a store clerk. Two years before in 1868 he had passed through Hell Gate on his way to Oregon where he was employed as a timberman.

Comes to Missoula

Upon the death of White, Hammond accepted a position with Bonner & Co. in the store at Missoula. By 1885 Hammond was elected president of the company, which is now the Missoula Mercantile.

Hammond also organized the Big Blackfoot Milling Co. which built the sawmill at Bonner. He was president of this company until its disposal to the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in 1898.

He was one of the builders of the Bitter Root railroad from Missoula to Hamilton. In 1894 Hammond concentrated his efforts in Oregon where he engaged in the lumber business on a grand scale, built the Columbia River and Astoria railroad and organized the Columbia River Packing Co. He was president of this company until it was disposed of to an association.

In Redwood Industry

Hammond is regarded as the dean of the redwood lumber industry. After spending a busy life in Montana and Oregon, he became associated with Collis P. Huntington, the Mark Hopkins estate and John Claflin of New York in his business in Oregon and shortly afterward in securing of the Vance lumber business.

While in Missoula Hammond married Florence Abbott in 1879. Four daughters and two sons were born to the couple, all of them in their house on East Front street.

Home is Missoula

Missoula was home to Hammond. “I reared my family in the Garden City and always feel that it is my home,” he said, “despite the fact that I have lived in San Francisco for 30 years.”

He considered Missoula one of the cleanest cities in the United States and said it was worth traveling many miles to get a drink of the fine water.

Because he found swimming one of the greatest and most healthful of exercises, he donated a lot for the site of a pool for Missoulians.