Missoula’s University Area Historic District is a mature historic neighborhood of comfortable family homes built in the shadow of Mount Jumbo and the University of Montana campus.  With residences spanning a five-decade period, from 1887 through the 1940s, the neighborhood reflects local patterns of settlement and growth.
 
Beginning with the initial platting and populating of the land south of the Clark Fork River, the neighborhood reflects a history that grew increasingly entwined with the burgeoning University of Montana. A number of prominent Missoula residents made the University area their home, and forged a link between the neighborhood and the business and university communities.

Finally, it is the buildings themselves that define the neighborhood character.  Homes in the district display a range of late 19^th and early 20^th century building styles, illustrating the design ideals of the period and the building patterns common in the young city of Missoula, Montana.

Bounded by South 4th Street East, Beckwith Avenue, Arthur Avenue and Higgins Avenue, the University Area Historic District was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 13, 2000. Missoula’s largest historic district, the University Area District contains some stunning examples of Queen Anne, Craftsman, and Revival styles of architecture.