William McConnell was a pioneer of Moscow, Idaho who built the historic McConnell-McGuire Building in the 1890s to house his mercantile business. Over the decades, the building has housed various retail stores, offices, and apartments. After being renovated in the 1980s, it now contains Mingles Bar and Grill on the ground floor and offices and apartments above. The building remains a landmark in downtown Moscow with its arched windows and stained glass accents preserving its historic architecture.
5. 1890-1900
The McConnell-Maguire building was completed
Nov. 27, 1891. Upon finishing, the building held
three floors of merchandise. According to The
Moscow Mirror in January 1892, the McConnell-
Maguire Company’s aim was to” supply all the
wants of the people and at a small profit.” The
company was one of the biggest retail stores
Moscow has ever seen. However, the company
went bankrupt during the Panic of 1893 and the
business closed.
7. 1910-1920
Nathaniel Williamson moved his store The
Greater Boston from 408 S. Main to the
McConnell-Maguire Building in 1911. Upon
arriving there, he greatly expanded his business
and opened it as the Williamson Center. The
business sold a variety of merchandise such as
furniture, dry goods, shoes, and clothing. He
expanded the business to the adjoining Brown
Block building where he housed a restaurant and
grocery and hardware store. On the Williamson
Center hung an electric sign the length of the
building that could be seen from the Viola grade.
It also had a working elevator from the basement
8. 1920-1930
Williamson’s lease of the McConnell-Maguire
Building ended in 1920, and the business ended.
The building was mainly vacant for almost the
whole decade minus a short time in which a
Piggly Wiggly grocer occupied the first floor. In
February 1928, a Portland contractor announced
they would be remodeling the building to house
45 apartments. The remodel began on Feb.
16, the day of Nathaniel Williamson’s funeral.
The building was then known as the Thatuna
Building.
9. 1930-1940
Agricultural Adjustment Administration was a
government agency that was enacted in 1933
through President Roosevelt’s New Deal
program. It was established to help farmers
during the depression. AAA offices were located
in the Thatuna Building during the 1930s.
11. 1940-1950 (1960,1970)
The Louis Strauss family of Coville, Washington
began Brown’s furniture on the first level of the
Thatuna Building in the mid-1940s. The store
remained at that location until the late 1970s.
13. 1980-1990
In 1981, Ron and Julie Wells of renovation
business Wells & Company of Spokane bought
the McConnell building. It was the first of their
many renovation projects they have done in the
Northwest. The couple updated the building and
remodeled it into the building it is today. They also
signed a contract with the Department of Housing
and Urban Development that allows the 34
renovated apartments to be set aside for elderly
tenants and people with disabilities. Derek Ater
began managing the building in 1983. Also, the
Corner Pocket bar was located on the first floor
throughout this decade.
14. 2000- Now
Tisa Ater took over her husband’s managing
position in 1990 and continues to manage the
building to this day.
The McConnell-Maguire Building currently is the
location for Mingles Bar and Grill on the first level
(originally the Corner Pocket). Mabbutt Law
Office is also located on the First Street of the first
floor. 9On the second level, a nationwide discount
retail agency called Assist 2 Sell took residence in
the building in 2006. The Loft is a salon that has
been located on the second floor of the building
since 2004. The rest of the building is still the
home to apartments for elderly and disabled
16. McConnell- McGuire Building
From the 1890’s mercantile to the trendy
bar of the 21st century the McConnell-
McGuire Building still stands with all its
beauty.
17. Located on the Northeast corner
The McConnell McGuire Building was built with Arched windows, peaked
tops, three stories with stained glass window accents. The buildings historic
architecture has been well preserved and can still be admired in all it’s glory.
18. William McConnell
Idaho’s third governor William McConnell
was one of the pioneers of Moscow. His
friend McGuire and him together made the
beautiful McConnell-McGuire Building on
the corner of First and Main.
19. Mr. McConnell
By: Lisa
Short
On the When first built the beautiful
corner of First and building was used for a
Main you will find a Mercantile for William
beautiful, old building. McConnell to sell goods and
The building stands produce to miners. His
tall with high arched mercantile flourished and he
windows and off-white was known as the Merchant
paint. It has been Prince of Idaho. McConnell
altered and worked well in many aspects of
restored, but you can his life. His mercantile
tell. Mingles Bar and thrived, his political power
Grill takes up the grew as he eventually became
bottom floor with Idaho’s third governor and a
apartments above it. sturdy home life. McConnell
A day salon and a lived with his wife, Louisa and
real estate company five children in a house on
fill the voids. This Adams Street. Although they
historic structure struggled through the Great
20. William McConnell moved to the
west coast from Michigan when
he was young. He lived in
California where he farmed
cattle, mined and banked. A year
in the 1980’s McConnell moved
to Oregon and taught school. In
1883 he moved to Idaho to serve
as a Deputy Marshal. McConnell
returned to Oregon to cattle farm
before he permanently moved to
Idaho.
In 1980 McConnell was elected McConnell and his wife, Louisa raised their five
to serve in the remainder of 51st children in the McConnell Mansion on First and
United States Congress. Adams Street in Moscow. Although the
McConnell was a senator for a McConnell’s lost their home during the Great
year then elected to be the Depression it was bequeathed by Latah
Governor of Idaho for two County in 1966 and declared a museum. The
consecutive terms. house remains as a museum to remember one
McConnell served as Indian of the founders of the town.
Inspector and then Inspector of
Immigration Services until he To learn more on the McConnell Mansion visit
died in 1925. the Latah County Historical Society.
21. McConnell’s Professional Life
McConnell had many profession throughout the course of his life time. As he
traveled from California to Oregon to Idaho he went through various trades and
professions. Including…
Miner Banker Senator
Cattle
Teacher Governor
Rancher
Inspector of
Store Owner U.S. Marshal Immigration
services
23. Miss Anything?
More information on William McConnell and the
McConnell- McGuire Building visit these website:
Latah Historic Society
http://users.moscow.com/lchs/
Moscow Chamber of Commerce
http://www.moscowchamber.com/OurCommunity/Hi
story/History.htm
University of Idaho Library
http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/