Here is a brief history of the Downtowner that we
compiled from our Great Falls files:
Built as the Park Hotel in 1886 by Paris Gibson and
H.C. Chowen for $50,000. Paris Gibson lived there
with his wife. The original building burned in 1915
and was replaced by the present building.
KFBB radio was housed there January-October 1,
1930.
Intermountain College took an option on the Park
Hotel in 1936, intending to add on and run a school
there.
From 1944-1946, the original Tracy's coffee shop was
in the building.
By 1978, the Park Hotel had become the Downtowner
Retirement Home.
According to the building manager, Dwayne Roe is
writing a book on the history of the Park/Downtowner.
The library has clippings and photographs of the
building.
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