The History of Crown Jewelers of Great Falls Montana

Crown Jewelers of Montana, Great Falls Oldest Jeweler!

Having no apparent ties to this area it is a mystery why a London watchmaker would choose Great Falls as a location to set up shop. But he did and since Crown's establishment in 1915 it has survived several devastating fires, the sudden death of one young owner, two world wars, the great depression and one failed attempt at going out of business.

Sol Rothenberg, Crown's founder, was a watchmaker from a middle-class Jewish family living on the outskirts of London, England. It is apparent his ties with his homeland and its heritage prompted Sol to name his store The Crown Jewelry Co. Arriving in Great Falls in 1915 Sol set up shop in the Steel Building at 225 Central Ave., and lived as a young single man in various hotels including the Rainbow Hotel for several years. At this time the Polk Directory listed ten local jewelers.

In 1920 a fire started in the basement of the Steel Building completely destroying Crown Jewelers and four other stores. Kranz Flower Shop escaped total destruction. The Steel Building was rebuilt the same year and continued to house the store. This building was later purchased by the D. A. Davidson Co., three additional floors were added in the 1960s and it is now known as the Davidson Building.

(The interior of the Margaret Building Location prior to and after 1945)

The Polk Directory reports a change of location in 1926 to 325 Central Ave., right next door to the Paris Dry Good Store. Crown Jewelers would remain here only four years before the building was destroyed to make room for the Paris Department Store. In 1930 Crown moved to the Margaret Building at 415 Central Ave. A.W.Kingsbury built this building in 1914. Up to 1930 it housed an oil and coal firm.

Sol Rothnenberg died on Aug. 30,1937, he was sixty years old at his death and resided with his wife Rhoda at the Blackstone Apartments, 314 3rd St. N., #100. His wife Rhoda remained the owner until 1948 when George H. Thomas purchased the store. George had worked for Sol as a watchmaker since 1936 or 1937 and was also their son-in-law married to Sol and Rhoda's daughter Hilda. George Thomas's wife Hilda passed away in a motorcycle accident and George married Miss Rozan Skites.

George was killed in an auto accident on Gore Hill on the 4th of July in 1952. This left Rozan as Crown's owner. George Thomas was the most flamboyant owner Crown ever had. Old timers have recounted stories of his interest in fine cars, fine suits and motorcycles. Following George Thomas' death Rozan married Charles Ides. Charles was a Rolex watch representative covering the Northwest United States. Chuck represented Rolex through the 1980's.

In 1971 Rozan's sister Lillian and her husband Earl O'Neil purchased the store. Earl, a certified gemologist and goldsmith, had been working as the manager of the Crown since 1954. Prior to this time Earl was an Air Force Pilot, first flying bombers is World War II and then as a cargo pilot for the remainder of his career. He retired as a Captain.

During this time Crown also had a jewelry store in Havre, this store burned one winter day in the early 1970's and was never reopened. Much of the jewelry was frozen in the show cased and had to be removed from the ice with a chisel and hammer.

(An early picture of the Johnson Hotel and our current location in the Davidson Bldg.)

The Crown moved to 419 Central Ave. in. 1977. Residing in the space once used as the lobby for the Johnson Hotel. This store had a large and exclusive inventory including Rolex and Omega watches and a very fine estate department. Crown Jewelers had always been a large and prominent jewelry store in Great Falls sometimes employing up to ten people. However due to the economics of the times Crown Jewelers ran a going out of business sale in November and December of 1989 and the large store was closed out.

This was not to be the end of the Crown though, in January 1990 Earl O'Neil and Paul Radonich moved the shop to the forth floor of the Davidson Building, just three floors above the original store site. The store specializes in custom designs, jewelry remounts, repairs and estate jewelry. Paul Radonch, a native of Anaconda and a fifth generation Montanan, began his career at the Crown in July of 1980 at the age of twenty. He was taught his craft as a goldsmith and jewelry designer by Earl O'Neil. In 1990 Paul Radonich became an independent partner with Earl in Crown Jewelers and in 1995 he bought out Earl's share of the store and is the present owner.

(Paul Radonich in his early years at Crown Jewlers, 1981)