Distinctly Montana Magazine

S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 S P E C I A L S E C T I O N • M Y M O N T A N A H O M E 96 with Kent & Shanley. ( John Kent, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, designed the wings for the State Capitol Building in Helena.) After Shanley's association with the firm, the pair designed many significant buildings in Butte, Anaconda, Helena, and even Havre. Perhaps the grandest achievement around that leg of his career, was his design of the Finlen Hotel. Inspired by the Beaux-Arts Astor Hotel in New York City, the Finlen opened in Uptown Butte on New Year's Day in 1924 as "one of the most well-designed hotels between Minneapolis and Seattle," accord- ing to a contemporary pamphlet. e Finlen's highest tower was concluded in 1924 and construction began on the second one in 1927. e great stock market crash of 1929, however, brought that to a standstill. In 1909, Shanley moved to Great Falls to finish the Rainbow Hotel (built 1911, now Rainbow Senior Living), and he resided there until the time of his death in 1960. Shanley's fingerprints can easily be viewed across Great Falls, the most notable being the Tenth Street Bridge, which was completed in 1920 in tandem with engineer Ralph Adams of Spokane. e 1,130-foot structure was erected with eight con- crete open spandrel arches, and, in addition to cheap and reliable Ford Model T's, the bridge transported trol- ley traffic until 1931. Great Falls exhibits some of Shanley's most elaborate ideas, including the five- story brick Rainbow Hotel, the imposing Barber-Lyd- iard Building at 600 Central Avenue, and the gargoyle- laced Rocky Mountain Fire Insurance Building next door at 601 Central Avenue. Created in 1951, with a tinge of modern architectural influence, the Barber-Lydiard Building served as the location of Shanley's offices. e foundation of Ursuline Academy, now Ursuline Centre (2300 Central Avenue), was laid on September 17, 1911. Constructed in Collegiate Gothic Revival style, its doors opened to the first class in September 1912 for girls and boys, kindergarten through 12th grade. e building housed the Ursuline Sisters' "motherhouse," and girls of school age were accepted as boarders. According to the one newspaper account, "Shanley donated a portion of his fee to the sisters." While Seattle architect Henderson Ryan (1898-1923) has been cred- ited for the design of the Great Falls Liberty eatre, Shanley worked as a 220 Kendall Court • Belgrade, MT (406) 388-2559 www.wagnernursery.net W e are a family-owned nursery and landscaping business in Montana with more than 30 years of landscape experience and roots that go three generations deep. If you are looking for the best in landscaping design and installation, then look no further. Our dedication to customer service speaks for itself. Do I still have to hide my bones under the dog house? Great Falls 10th Street Bridge Teton County Courthouse Central School Museum of Kalispell

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