Author Talk: Historian Ken Robison on Lost Great Falls

In the Cordingley Room: In his book, Lost Great Falls, Ken Robison turns back the clock for a nostalgic tour of the city’s lost architectural, social and cultural heritage. The unrelenting passage of time inevitably brings dramatic physical change. Thus, many of Great Falls’ iconic figures and landmarks persist only in memory. A “Turkey Trail” railroad joined Great Falls and Canada, while Trolley Cars rolled through the Electric City.
Internationally famous “cowboy artist” Charles M. Russell favored socializing at the Mind and Silver Dollar Saloons. The Ozark Club broke down racial barriers, where African American businessman Leo LaMar presented the hottest jazz acts touring the West. Mark Twain and other luminaries graced the Grand Opera. City-sanctioned brothels littered the infamous 10 Alley South. The Big Stack, one of the world’s tallest structure, stood as an iconic testament of industry and progress.