The Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory was established in Stevensville. It was the first Funeral Home in the Bitter Root Valley. In 1916, the Dowling Family relocated to Main Street in Hamilton. In 1926, the Dowling Family purchased the Marcus Daly Stock Farm office a stately Victorian home at 415 South Second Street, next to the courthouse and they converted the office into a family residence and Funeral Home. The Funeral Home was originally constructed in 1892 as a residence for the Marcus Daly Family, however they never occupied the home and it was later used as a residence and office for the Bitter Root Stock Farm manager. To this day, the large, 2 story building has many architectural details similar to those found at the Daly Mansion north of Hamilton on the Eastside Highway. During the Apple Boom era (circa:1905 to 1914), the building became the office for the Bitter Root Irrigation Company. The magnificent safe used by both business is still in the building today. The big red loco-mobiles ( just like the ones in Glacier Park near Kalispell, Montana) Glacier National Park- transported prospective buyers out to the orchards and were parked in a three car carriage house behind the main structure. Continuing a tradition of compassionate professionalism, Ronald E. Brothers, a Montana native, purchased the Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory in December of 2007, after managing the business for 10 years. Brothers Mortuary & Crematory, currently leases the building from the Dowling family and will be building a new facility at 1206 S. Second St. Hamilton. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory is committed to providing the community with excellent service and we look forward to many years.
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