Home of: Doug Allard
ST. IGNATIUS — The name of the legendary “Colonel” Doug Allard is still seen all over St. Ignatius, despite his passing on Sept. 16. Allard’s General Store, Allard’s Fruit Stand, Doug Allard Flathead Indian Museum & Trading Post and other signs line U.S. Highway 93 in the Mission Valley, a testament to his widespread interests and influence among the people of this Valley, a legend in every sense of the word.
Allard’s death came after a long bout with cancer, the only thing that could eventually stop the sturdy 78 year old.
“He had already survived esophageal cancer, five heart attacks and quadruple bypass surgery in the last 10 years,” Allard’s son, Steve said. “This was what finally got him.”
Born in St. Ignatius in 1931, Allard was raised poor, but from the beginning, had such a strong work ethic he eventually turned himself into a millionaire businessman with connections world-wide.
Steve, now 52, recalled how his father lived as a youngster outside a house in a tar paper shack, but he formed a band in high school called “Allard’s Aces,” in which Doug played saxophone. This was his first real business venture, Steve said. His father always had money because “if people kept putting money in the kitty, they’d play all night.”
That “go get ‘em” entrepreneurial spirit led Allard to college at Montana State University, with a break for a tour of duty in Korea before completing his agriculture economics degree at MSU in Bozeman. Allard’s restless spirit then led him to California, where he became involved in the insurance business before stumbling into the auctioneer industry.
“One time eight consignors showed up with Indian artifact items to sell,” Steve said. “The auctioneer never showed up because he’d been in a car wreck, so some one asked if anyone had auctioned things before and my dad said, ‘Sure, I have!’ which of course he hadn’t. It took until 1:30 in the morning to sell all 200 items, but from then on he loved it.”
After years in California, Allard decided he didn’t want to raise children anywhere but St. Ignatius, so he took the family back to his hometown. Once there, Doug snatched up property left and right, starting all the businesses that still line, and prosper, on HWY 93. At one point, Steve said, his father ran a smoke shop where he would sell cartons of cigarettes for $2.85 a carton and sell 5,000 a week. “He was good at making money,” Steve said. “He liked to buy and sell things.”
Steve bought his father’s successful auction company, Allard’s Auctions, Inc., almost 12 years ago, keeping the same business model his father used that was based on trust.
“He never got too greedy,” Steve said. “He wanted everyone to come out OK. Sometimes he’d overpay for an item just to help somebody out.”
Because of his kindness, Steve said that people Doug knew would come into the store and ask if Doug would “sponsor them some smokes.” Doug was the type of guy who had no problem helping out friends in need.
The lasting impressions Steve has of his father are his charisma, unique looks and constant quest of chasing women.
“When they say someone does something up ‘til their dying day, that’s exactly true of my dad,” Steve said. “He was flirting with the nurses on his deathbed; he was always a ladies man.”
He was remembered for his charisma at his memorial service on Sept. 21. Steve’s brother, Chris, is a photographer for the Mariners baseball team in Seattle, and when team superstar Ken Griffey Jr. heard of Doug’s death, he had a Mariners jersey made up with “Allard” and No. 1 on the back, signed by every member of the team. Steve and family received a hand written note of condolence from Gov. Brian Schweitzer as well.
Salish Kootenai College president Joe McDonald was a friend of Doug’s since they were children, and remembers one thing about his friend of more than 60 years: “His self confidence as a businessman,” McDon-ald said.
“His confidence, it just kind of enveloped you.”