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Metaline Falls' site plan and major older buildings are attributable to Lewis P. Larsen, who founded the Town and was instrumental in the development of it's historic industries: cement manufacturing and mining. The time frame for this initial development was 1906-1929. Most of the buildings along E. 5th ("Main Street") also date from this era, although many have been refaced.
"Riverwalk" Park stretches south from the "Rock House" along Pend Oreille Blvd. and provides lovely views of the Pend Oreille River. This park was established in the 1910 town plat.
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| (1) Cement Plant, circa 1910. The Inland Portland Cement Co. was incorporated in 1909 and built the Lehigh Portland Cement Co. secured ownership of the plant in 1914 and operated it until 1990 when it was sold to Lefarge. During the plant's 80 years of operation it was a major supplier of cement for the Northwest. Lehigh cement was used in Grand Coulee Dam, and our local Boundary and Box Canyon Dams, among others. The cement production buildings were demolished in 1996. The remaining 16-silo storage facility (built in 1955) is still in use. The plaque in from of the silos dates from 1931 and carries the plant's safety record until 1967. (It was intended to carry this record until the 2000!) |
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| (2) Cutter Theatre, circa 1912, architect; Kirtland Cutter. Built as the Metaline Falls School, it was in use as a school from 1912-1971. (The adjoining gym was built in the 1940's) In 1994 the building was restored as the Cutter Theatre, featuring live performances, an art gallery and gallery shop, the Historic Schools Display, and housing the Metalines Library, as well as some small businesses. The building is open to the public. Information and reservations for performances: (509) 446-4108 or e-mail at cutter@iomet.com |
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| (3) Larsen "Rock House", circa 1914, architect; Kirtland Cutter. Built for Lewis Larsen as his residence, the house is an excellent example of Cutter's eclectic style of the Craftsman era. The Interior features a sunken living room with a massive stone fireplace and high, beamed ceiling. The small detached garage is original, as is the stone lawn fountain. Private residence, closed to the public. |
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| (4) Metaline Falls Railroad Depot, circa 1910. This small building dates from the completion of the Metaline Falls terminus of the Idaho and Washington Railroad. The building is presently used by the Town's maintenance department for storage. The railroad line is still used for cement deliveries to the Lafarge storage silos, and for Lions' Club-sponsored public excursion train rides in Summer and Fall. |
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| (5) Old Miner's Hotel, circa 1929, architect; Gustav Albin Pehrson. Planned as housing for miners, construction of the hotel began in 1929, but only the building's exterior, and the interior floors were completed. Original plans included an elegant two-story lobby with shops and dining rooms. Construction was halted due to shifting fortune for the mine, and when the building was completed in 1949 as an apartment house, remodel plans changed the 1st story into two floors of apartments. (This building is also faced with Duntile brick, including the large spaces originally intended for windows between the 1st floor exterior columns, infilled in 1949) Courtyard and lobby are open to the public. Reservations for hotel or apartment inquiries: (509) 446-4802. |
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| (6) Pend Oreille Mine & Metals Office Building, circa 1929, architect; Gustav Albin Pehrson. Built to house the offices of the Pend Oreille Lead & Zinc mine, with an apartment for Lewis Larsen on the 3rd floor, the building was operated by the mine from 1929-1955. The building is constructed of concrete block, faced with concrete brick - all produced by the Metaline Falls Duntile plant, using Lehigh cement. Now the Larsen Apartments, the building remains mainly unaltered from its original design. Private residences, closed to the public. |
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| (7) Sullivan Creek Powerhouse, circa 1910, architect unknown. The Metaline Falls Water & Light Co.'s 10,000 horsepower electric plant was built to generate power from Sullivan Creek for the cement plant - with some extra for the Town. The building is now owned by the P.U.D. and is closed to the public. |
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| (8) Visitor Center - The Visitor Center is a vintage railroad baggage car, purchased by the Town of Metaline Falls, The Metalines Chamber of Commerce and The Affair on Mainstreet in 1991 from Pend Oreille Valley Railroad. The car provides visitor information and a book exchange in the summer. The Visitor Center is located in Busta park, which was established as a park in the 1910 town plat. |
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| (9) Washington Hotel, circa 1906, architect unknown - possibly Kirtland Cutter. Built to house visitors and workers during the Town's initial development, the building remains in use as a hotel, and retains the flavor of its original construction. Owner Lee McGowan maintains an art studio on the main floor, which is open to the public. Katie's Oven bakery occupies the street front space. Reservations for hotel and art workshops: (509) 446-4415 or e-mail at hotel1@iomet.com. For more information click here! |
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| (10) Washington Rock - Raising above the town on the north side of the bridge over the Pend Oreille River, the top of this landmark can be reached by hiking through the woods from the substation on Boundary Dam Road. The short (but uphill) hike ends in a stunning panoramic view of the towns of Metaline Falls and Metaline, Sullivan Creek, and the Pend Oreille River |
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