The Paris Department Store

From “Souvenir Views of The Paris Dry Goods Co.” Postcard Series [CCHS 014.28]

Paris Dry Goods Store, Great Falls Historic and Scenic Published by The Tribune 1899. Photo copied by D. Rudd.[2007.017.0163]

The Paris Dry Goods store was originally established in 1894 as a partnership between Heller, F. A. Fligman and Samuel S. Singer. The store first operated at 419 Central until relocation in 1914 to the McKnight building at 307 Central.

The Paris prided itself on offering the finest imported fashions and brands to Montana - later they would use the name “The Paris of Montana,” to set the standard for fashion in Central Montana.

Booklet for the Paris Dry Goods Co. to advertise “Fashions of Exclusive Designs in Women’s Night Gowns and Envelope Chemises, Ephemera Collection. [2021.033.0001]

Interior of the Paris Dry Goods Company, long center aisle with Mildred Pierse's department on the right. [1987.062.0011]

Continuation of the interior of the Paris Dry Goods Company, long center aisle with Mildred Pierse's department on the left. [1987.062.0013]

On January 20, 1919, the Paris and two surrounding businesses were destroyed by the worst fire the city had ever seen.

“A fiercely burning fire could be seen to have full possession of the rear of the first story and the basement was literally a furnace.”

“…thousands of dollars of fabrics were piled about the counters and shelves and all proved a veritable tinder box for the flames.”

-Great Falls Tribune, January 21, 1919.

Postcard print of the Paris Dry Goods Store Fire and surrounding destruction hosed by the fire department. [1992.001.0150]

The Great Falls Fire Department was met by thick, impenetrable smoke which barred the department from accessing the center of the store with fire hoses. An hour after the discovery of the fire, “an explosion within the Davis store followed by a crash of glass and outpouring of smoke proved the loss of the building.” Combustible drugs, acids, and other materials in the drug store only added to the chaos. The building’s wooden structure with brick veneer was no match for the flames, and within two hours from discovery of the fire, the store was consumed, taking with it the Kenyon and Wheeler stores beside it. The fire spewed clouds of burning cinders that floated west, igniting small fires on the roof of the Lapeyere Drug Store and endangering other structures.

Aftermath of the Paris department store fire of 1919; a $500,000 fire. Fire department vehicles with Chief A.J. Trodick and Asst. W. Grover. Photographer F.E.G. Rogers, January 1919. [2007.017.0054]

Motorized equipment digging out the basement. [1996.037.0001]

Basement Rubble [1996.037.0001c]

First Floor Walls [1996.037.0001f]

Start of the Second Floor [1996.037.0001g]

Second Floor Walls [1996.037.0001h]

Work on the Second Floor [1996.037.0001t]

Work on the Second Floor [1996.037.0001s]

Crane Work on 3rd Floor Ceiling [1996.037.0001q]

Crane Starting Work on 3rd Floor (Ceiling) [1996.037.0001r ]

Scaffolding [1996.037.0001y]

Corner View from Across the Street [1996.037.0001aa]

Construction on a new Paris began in 1928 and finished in 1929. The new Paris building included multiple stories of shopping, a fountain and luncheonette, and a beauty shop. All this grandeur cost $750,000 (over 13 million dollars in the year 2023).

Below are photos of The Paris taken for the grand opening by Photo View Co.:

Gift Shop at The Paris before the grand opening, Great Falls Photo View Co., 1929. [1994.038.0285]

Entrance to The Paris [1994.038.0290]

Arcade at The Paris [1994.038.0289]

First Floor of The Paris, Jewelry Showcases [1994.038.0279]

First Floor, Dry Goods [1994.038.0281]

Beauty Shop [1994.038.0292]

First Floor taken from the east balcony [1994.038.0287][

French Room [1994.038.0284]

Barber Shop [1994.038.0286]

Pneumatic Tube Station [1994.038.0288]

The pneumatic tube system allowed for one central figure to handle all accounting functions for the entire store. The tubes led to various departments where the sales person and the customer waited patiently for the correct change and a receipt to come travelling up the tube.

Lavatory [1994.038.0294]

Third Floor [1994.038.0291]

Two page spread of the floor plans and features of the new Paris in the “Special Paris Opening Edition” of the Great Falls Tribune, July 14, 1929.

The Paris Department Store, 1928. [1984.165.0024]

Paris Department Store basement boiler room photographs, 1928. [Images 1984.165.0025, .0026]

Air wash fan at The Paris Department Store, grand opening, 1929. Great Falls Photo View Co. [1994.038.0238]

Ad from the Paris Department Store published in the Tribune January 1, 1929. Baby New Year welcomes 1929 with a vision of the new building and thanks for a successful year for the Paris in 1928.

In 1955 The Paris was purchased by a national company, which announced a remodel and to build an additional floor. The modernized Paris was to be sleek and current with less ornamentation.

The new store manager embraced the original vision for the store - to provide the finest brands to Montana at the best prices.

Architect’s rendering of a modernized Paris Department Store, Great Falls Tribune, February 2, 1955.

Snapshot of Central Avenue with the Paris Department store on the right, March 1959. [1995.071.0037e]

In 1974 the storefront of the Paris was launched into stardom in the movie premiere of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges. On September 14, 1973, about 300 spectators watched a 1951 Mercury drive up a ramp (designed to look like a flower display) and crash into The Paris storefront windows.

Ray Ozmon photograph with caption clipping of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot stunt from the Great Falls Tribune, September 14, 1973. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot Vertical File.

Great Falls Tribune, September 14, 1973. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot Vertical File.

Great Falls Tribune, September 16, 1973. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot Vertical File.

“Window shattering is ego shattering for stars of movie being filmed here” said the Great Falls Tribune, when actor Clint Eastwood commented that Great Falls seemed more interested in the Paris Department Store window stunt than in the actors. Great Falls Tribune Clipping, September 7, 1943.

The Paris was purchased by a national chain in 1978 and became "The Bon" and remained as such until its closure in 1998. Today the building still stands in downtown Great Falls, much emptier than it was in decades past.

Staff photo, June 27, 2023

-Ashleigh McCann, Collections Curator