Plains VFW fire recalled 40 years later

Four decades ago, the fire that burned VFW Post 3596 changed the community of Plains. The fire may have began around 8:30 p.m. on Mar. 31, 1977. The newspaper at that time, “The Plainsman,” covered the fire on the front page. The initial findings from the Kalispell fire marshal indicated that the fire might have been caused by arson. There were two black and white photos, one showing Leonard Larson and Phil Crismore fighting the fire. There were several things lost in the fire. The losses included many of the belongings and one cat belonging to Tress Evins, who was a bartender there and lived in the apartment above the VFW. Fortunately she was not at home when the fire began. There was a long history to the original VFW building that went back to 1949, when the property was purchased for $4,100. The money was raised from the sale of a small building and a $3,500 loan from the Polson VFW. One very large piece of history that was lost had dated back to 1904. It was a Brunswick bar and back bar that was once part of the old Pendergast Hotel in Plains, which was located on Main Street. The mahogany fixtures once were in another town during the years of Prohibition in the 1930s. Once Prohibition was repealed, the bar and back bar were returned to the VFW. There was a six-lane bowling alley in the basement, where many went during the cold winter months. The fire changed the meeting locations for many groups and organizations; the Girl Scouts, Senior Citizens, CBers, Jaycees, and Weight Watchers.