Arvon Block History

In 1886, Welsh Immigrant and the Original "Celtic Cowboy" Robert Vaughn, began plans for "...the most advanced livery in the Pacific Northwest" combining the Livery/Freight Transfer station - “The Axtell Stable”, Teamster Rooming House - “The Arvon” and Grocery Store - “Derrig Fruit Co.”, all under one roof. He named the building the “Arvon Block” after his daughter Arvonia. Vaughn was an early Montana pioneer who famously wrote a book entitled, Then and Now: 36 Years in the Rockies, that chronicles his experience on the Montana frontier and reminiscences of many of his famous friends.

A unique example of the “Western Commercial Style”, the Arvon Block is the oldest Commercial Building in Great Falls. Finished and opened in June of 1890, just six months after Montana achieved Statehood, the building survived the cycles of economic ebb and flow over the years. In 2010, 120 years after its first opening, the Arvon Block was vacant, in disrepair and slated for the wrecking ball. All of that changed when the Jennings Family purchased the building and performed a complete renovation over the next four years. Today’s Arvon Block houses The Historic Hotel Arvon, The Celtic Cowboy Public House and The Darkhorse Hall and Wine Snug Event Rooms. Thanks to the visionary investment of DA Davidson Co., the project qualified for and received Rehabilitation Tax Credits for performing a historic renovation to US Department of Interior Standards (https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm)