As many of you may know – I love history – especially local history that you can put your hands (and eyes) on. I picked up a copy of “Then and Now – Missoula Montana” and wanted to post a geocache for one location but there is already a cache too close to that GZ and so I am doing it this way and including two other locations all within a block of each other. I suggest you park your car anywhere near and “hoof it” as us horse people say!
Garden City Business College/Bab's - First Location - “A” N 46* 51.952 113* 59.874 (posted)
The posted cords take you to the Bab's Apartments building. I had noticed this interesting and old building before but did not, until now, know anything about it. It was built in 1905 as the Garden City Business College. With all the roof and turrets and angles it was fairly easy to locate very close to where this photo was taken – don't get run over by cars entering and leaving the gas station!
From GZ looking at Bab's if you look to your right – across the street (Higgins) there is a pizza shop with a large white address with 3 characters – note that “A” is the first character of the address.
In over 115 years this building (on the outside) has not changed much. The only change of note that I see is the dormer windows on the 4th floor on the right (photo) of the building. In 2008, after becoming somewhat “run down” the entire building was remodeled into condominiums which it is today. The original Victorian Business College building was designed by A. J. Gibson.
First Presbyterian Church - Second Location - “B”
N 46* 51.913 W 113* 59.934
This building was also designed by A. J. Gibson. You will find Gibson designed many buildings in Missoula that are still standing and being used. This Church was built in 1915. Other than the leafed trees getting in the way, with the roof and wall intersections, it is pretty easy to locate where the photographer stood to snap this old photo. You will find yourself standing in a parking space (if it is not otherwise occupied). Other than the major additions that have been added on the right of the photo, this building has not changed much.
Note the phone number on the sign on the corner nearest you; you will need it to find the final location. “B” is the last digit of the phone number
McKenzie Wallace Service Station – Location “C” & "D" - N46* 51.896 W 113* 59.863
Now you are across the street from one of the most popular locations in Missoula. Everyone familiar with Missoula has been here – probably many times! It “cost” me two chocolate ice cream sodas and a tangerine sorbet ice cream cone just to set this up!
Compare the 1920s photo with what you are seeing. Look at the sign on the building just above the corner serving window. Look just to the right, through the trees you can see the towers and roof line of Bab's Apartments AKA Garden City Business College – still there! (Obviously in the winter it shows up much clearer).
I am pretty sure the store fronts on Higgins on the right of the photo are the same ones as today, but I cannot positively identify them. “QUALITY MARKET” (on both signs) is just to the right of the gas station pillars. The one between the two station pillars is “MISSOULA CLEANERS - AND DYERS”. The one to the right of the market looks like “PETRIE TRANSFOR” (not real sure on that first word – and I am not aware of what kind of business it was). I strongly suspect the building blocking our view of the lower floors of Bab's apartments in the photo and now is the same building - much modified! -
Behind you is a red brick wall with some high windows. Turn towards Higgins and walk to the corner, then right again at the corner, and note the address of that brick wall. It is between the two doors – 3 digits. “C” is the last digit and “D” is the first digit PLUS 2. Be sure to add 2 to the first digit for “D”.
N46*51.9AB W113*59.9CD
NOTE: You just walked within feet of another unrelated geocache! The one that made me do this one this way! LOL. It has been there for many years (GC3TYCN) "Our Montana Community?”
Now you are ready to go for the gold! The final is only two sides of the Big Dipper block away – your choice which way to go.
To check your observations and math here is a “sum check” for you. If you add A+B+C+D you should get 24!