Missoula's Southside Historic District, platted by Judge Hiram Knowles in 1889 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, contains excellent examples of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Bungalow style homes. Many of its homes and commercial buildings were designed or influenced by Missoula architect A.J. Gibson, who lived at 102 South 2nd West. Originally occupied by wealthy merchants who built impressive Victorian era residences, the district later attracted white collar professionals who rented elegant Row House apartments or built smaller homes. As Missoula's first suburb, it offered a peaceful refuge from the grit and grime of the business district across the river. The arrival of the Milwaukee Railroad in 1908 and the construction of new neighborhood businesses brought another dimension to the area.