We hope you enjoy your journey to the past on this walking
tour. Maps are available at the Chamber.
The Havre Residential Historic District was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The first settler in what is now Havre was John Bell, a
sergeant from Fort Assinniboine. His first home was a simple log cabin. With
the coming of the railroad came more settlers and they became merchants,
business people, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs. As their finances
increased, so did the need for permanent homes and many forms of popular
architecture were constructed and still proudly exist today.
All homes in the HRHD are privately owned. Please respect
the privacy of the homeowners and residents. Please leave only your footprints
and take only photographs from the public right of ways (streets, boulevards and
sidewalks).
26 Third Street
(1904):
Gussenhoven Home. Also known as The Castle, this Queen Anne house was
built from brick that came from the brick factory Mr. Gussenhoven
owned. Mr. Gussenhoven owned many businesses, starting with trade and
construction at Fort Assinniboine, and expanding to a steam laundry and
the brick and lumber company. He also bought the Citizens National
Bank. After years of abandonment, the Pasma family purchased the home
and worked on the homes interior infrastructure as well as a new roof.
The home was then sold to the Swanson family, who in turn put the pieces
together and brought the home back to its former glory. This home
earned two 1999 Havre Historic Preservation Awards, one for each family.
Historic Courthouse and Post Office
Building (1933)
Located at the corner of Third Avenue and Third Street,
this former Post Office and Federal Building was built in 1933 in the
Neo Classical style. The most prominent features of the building are
the large columns, the impressive windows, and the beautifully detailed
entry. The building contains original marble, terrazzo floors,
woodwork, windows, interior doors, mailboxes and hardware. The Havre
Historic Preservation Office is located on the third floor, and this
building also houses the Clack Museum.
539 Third Avenue
(1911): St. Marks Episcopal Church. This
Gothic Revival church was started in 1911 and completed in 1918. The
granite was donated by Kahn Brothers of Helena and shipped free on the
Great Northern Railroad. The beautiful stained glass windows are
original, and the church has a carillon that chimes during daytime
hours.
