On this episode of The King's Guide, we're at the corner of Hamilton and Indiana. We're focusing on the southwest corner where a Starbucks coffeehouse was recently built. Chuck has a personal connection to this corner, but we'll get to that later. 

This property was once the site of a beautiful home, built in 1897 for an early businessman named Leon Daigler. After less than a year at the home, the Daigler Family traded the property for an interest in a general store in Sylvanite, Montana. Sylvanite, Montana in the late 1890s was a going concern. A lot of Spokane investment was put into the sylvanite mines near Troy, Montana. Sylvanite, Montana is now a ghost town. 

In 1903, the house was sold to Daniel and Jenny Rice. After several owners over the years, the home was torn down in the mid 1950s, and the property became the site of a Conoco service station. 

In 1964, the gas station was purchased by Duane Alton. This was the first of what would become several Alton’s tire locations over the next few decades. Duane Alton bought the property in 1968, amazingly, for just $10. It's likely Alton had some kind of lease to own agreement prior to the purchase. 

If you look closely in one of the photos at the end, you’ll see Chuck’s car, a 1966 Mercury Monterrey, parked in the Alton’s parking lot. Chuck worked for Duane Alton in the 1970s. From Chuck: “I'm very grateful to Duane Alton for giving me my first opportunity to work. I just want to thank Duane Alton for hiring me. As a young kid, I don't think I would have hired me. So, anyway. Thanks, Duane. Really appreciate it.” This episode dedicated to the memory of Duane Alton - 1936-2025

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/shorts/fYrGJEkNUlA