Fort Benton - The Best of Great Falls Magazine

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Montana
Gateway to the West
Vol. 1 No. 1
Publisher
Ben Chovanak
Editor
Ben Chovanak
Contributing Writers
Creative Director
Contributing Photographers and Artists
Jerry Browning
Donna Dugas
Sally Murphy
Don Peterson
Ellen Sievert
Robert Thomson
Carolyn Valacich
Jane Weber
Ben Chovanak
Dan Ball
Bob Brown
Ben Chovanak
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Advertising Sales
Sheila Smartt
Ben Chovanak
Contact Us
406-870-0122
820 2nd Avenue NW #2
Great Falls, MT 59404
Destination Great Falls.com
The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to the publication are not
necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does
not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While
every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can
be taken for any errors or omissions. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summer/Fall 2009
6 A History of Great Falls
8 Great Falls Symphony
Written by Carolyn Valacich
12 Historic Downtown Great Falls
Written by Ellen Sievert
16 Bluegrass on the Bay
Written by Ben Chovanak
22 Montana State Parks, Region 4
Written by Ben Chovanak
Arch in Gibson Park flower garden and Vinegar Jones
cabin. ©2009 Photo by Ben Chovanak
28 Annual Lewis & Clark Festival
Written by Sally Murphy
33 Ulm Celebrates 120th Birthday
Written by Donna Dugas
34 Choteau, Montana
Gateway to the Rocky Mountain Front
Written by Jerry Browning
Right: Learning how to throw a axe, First Peoples
Buffalo Jump. Left: Demonstrating Plains Indian tools.
36 Experience the Rivers
Written by Ben Chovanak
38 Fort Benton – Birthplace of Montana
Written by Jerry Browning
Sunflowers above the Sluice Boxes State Park.
Photo by Ben Chovanak
Crown Butte & Haystack Butte, photos by Ben Chovanak
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A History of Great Falls
The present site of the City of Great Falls, Montana, was first
noted in writing in the journals of Lewis and Clark, leaders of a
group commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the
newly acquired territory known as the Louisiana Purchase.
ly became an agricultural and livestock center with
Great Falls as its hub, marketing more of the state's
grain and livestock production than any other city.
The Anaconda Company built its smelter on the north
side of the Missouri River to create numerous jobs for
the citizens and its smokestack became a landmark
visible for twelve miles. The huge stack was
destroyed in 1982 amid much controversy and the site
now serves as one of the city's municipal golf courses.
In June of 1805 the
group came upon the
area and remained
approximately one month
while they portaged their
canoes over land to bypass the series of rapids
that stretched for several
miles on the Missouri
River. Before the party
left in mid July of 1805,
they celebrated the Fourth of July in the new territory
at White Bear Island.
The Great Northern Railroad and the St.
Paul/Milwaukee Railroad both served to make Great
Falls a major shipping center along the transcontinental railway. The depots of both railroads still stand as
landmarks in the city.
The Great Falls area had long been inhabited by
tribes of Native American Indians, mainly the
Blackfeet, with herds of Buffalo, Antelope. Elk, and
Deer roaming the prairies. The Grizzly Bears and
Mountain Lions also, hunted and roamed this area.
The US Air Force established Malmstrom Air
Force Base on the eastern edge of Great Falls in 1942
as a transport center between the United States and
Russia by way of Alaska during World War II.
Early settlers began to arrive in the area establishing homesteads around the time of
the civil war, many settling near the
confluence of the Sun River and the
Missouri in what is now known as
the “lower west side.” In 1882, Paris
Gibson, a native of Minneapolis,
arrived in the area and immediately
recognized the potential of the location for a city due to its natural
resources and location. With the
backing and support of Jim Hill,
founder of the Great Northern
Railroad, Gibson began to design and
develop what has become the city of
Great Falls.
Modern culture has grown out of the history of
Great Falls, mainly in the life and
works of western artist Charles M.
Russell, the legendary cowboy who
made Great Falls his home.
Settled in the heart of Montana,
Great Falls lies as a crossroads
between two national treasures,
Glacier National Park to the north
and Yellowstone National Park to the
south. It is nestled between rich, productive farm land only miles away
from the majestic Rocky Mountains
to its west, the Little Belt Mountains
and Highwood Mountains to the
east, providing some of the best fishing and hunting grounds in the
nation.
Gibson recognized the opportunity that the series of waterfalls presented as far as hydroelectric dams
and by 1890 had completed the first
in a series of five dams, from which
the city earned it's nickname, "The
Electric City."
Great Falls is an exciting community
of over 55,000 people with variStatue of Paris Gibson erected in
ous recreational opportunities for citGibson Park
izens and visitors alike. Visitors to
©2009 Photo by Ben Chovanak
the area will find a multitude of
With an influx of homesteaders and people from
things to see and do, things to accommodate all
the east arriving on Jim Hill's trains, the region quicktastes, interests and budgets. The city has 57 parks, 5
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major museums, 4 golf courses, numerous historical
sights and natural attractions, 4 major ensembles of
the performing arts, and is surrounded by history
and scenery to suit the most discriminating visitor
to the area.
Winter activities abound in the area with skiing,
snow mobile trails, ice-skating and cross-country
skiing available in numerous nearby locations to the
east, northwest and south. Community holiday traditions provide a variety
activities, such as the
Parade of Lights and the
Christmas Stroll.
Great Falls’ invites you
to experience the best of
both worlds: city excitement or mountain solitude. In Montana, one has
the freedom to enjoy it all.
Return to what America
was years ago, fresh and
innocent, while steeped in
perpetual discovery.
Resources: The History Museum
archives, Jerry Browning, City
of Great Falls/Cascade County
Historic Preservation. Edited by
Ben Chovanak
The Great Northern Railroad Station
©2009 Photo by Ben Chovanak
St. Paul/Milwaukee Railroad Station
©2009 Photo by Ben Chovanak
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Explore Great
Clock wise from bottom left:
Malmstrom Air Park, First Peoples
Buffalo Jump, Children’s Museum,
C.M. Russell Museum,(The Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture),
Ursuline Centre Museum, (Merici Room). Center: Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
M U S E U M S
Children’s Museum of Montana
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
Behind the Civic Center at 22 Railroad Square, 406-452-6661
The Children’s Museum of Montana is an interactive experience
for all children featuring a life sized Montana Maiasaura, Green
City-Reduce Reuse Recycle exhibit, a new pirate ship, dinosaur
dig, bubbles-bubbles-bubbles, plus other hands-on exhibits.
Emphases in the exhibits are toward history of the region, science
and technology, health, performing arts and regional culture.
With weekly activities include Wednesday Playgroup, Saturday
Samplers, Lego Club and much more. There are several projects
that are still in the creation stage so it is well worth several return
visits to see the progress being made. Admission: $3 per person,
$2 for seniors, free for members and children under 2. Hours are
Monday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Sundays.
www.childrensmuseumofmt.org
342 Vaughn Road, Ulm, Montana, 406-866-2217
The park offers a 3 mile hiking trail, visitors center and “what
the buffalo became” exhibit, views of our mountain ranges, picnicking area, a prairie dog town, and special events. Admission
is $5 per car for non-resident, free for Montana residents with
vehicle license plate contributions. Park hours are 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
April 1 - September 30. October 1 - March 31 visitor center is
open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday, and 12 p.m. - 4
p.m. Sunday. For more information on group tours, or reservations, call (406) 866-2217 or 866-2219
Galerie Trinitas
1301 20th Street South, 406-791-5292
The Galerie Trinitas, located on the campus of the University of
Great Falls, is an art gallery dedicated to the memory of Sister
Mary Trinitas Morin, who, during her lifetime, created a legacy
of religious-themed art work as well as having taught art and
French at the university for 32 years. The gallery consists of
exhibits of her work as well as promoting the work of other faculty and students, serves to provide educational opportunities
for university students and surrounding educational facilities
and sponsors visiting exhibits and artist’s introductions. The
gallery is located next to Trinitas Chapel, also named in her
memory. The Galerie is a project of the College of Great Falls and
CGF Guild. Any donations toward the building and maintenance
of the Galerie are greatly appreciated. Individuals also may join
the “Friends of Trinitas,” a group organized by the Guild in support of the Galerie.
C.M. Russell Museum
400 13th Street North, 406-727-8787
The C.M. Russell Museum holds thousands of paintings, sculptures, drawings and illustrations that Charlie Russell (1864-1926)
created from childhood through the end of his life. Shown in a
suite of five galleries, the works are arranged to show how the
artist evolved, as well as to celebrate the culture of the American
West. Charlie’s subjects were based on western history and his
own experience, including cowboys, Plains Indians, and wildlife.
The complex includes Russell’s 1900 home and his log cabin studio built in 1903. Both the home and studio are Nationally
Designated Historical Sites. A new addition to the Russell
Museum is the interactive exhibition, The Bison: American Icon,
Heart of Plains Indian Culture which features many of Russell’s
personal Native American artifacts. www.cmrussell.org
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Falls Culture
Clock wise from above: Ursuline
Centre Museum,.The History Museum,
Galerie Trinitas, Montana Museum of
Railroad History, Lewis & Clark
Interpretive Center, & Paris Gibson
Square Museum of Art (Miguel
Guillen, The Cooling Table, 2006-7,
mixed media).
M U S E U M S
The History Museum
Montana Museum of Railroad History
422 2nd Street North, 406-452-3462
Located in the historic International Harvester Building, the
museum features exhibits celebrating central Montana’s heritage.
The museum archives are the region’s official records repository
and includes 55,000 historic photographs available for reproduction. The Gift Shop offer books, art, unique gifts and jewelry.
Admission: $5 adults, $3 students, free for members and children
under 6. Museum and Archive Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. 5 p.m. www.thehistorymuseum.org
Located within the Montana ExpoPark
400 3rd Street NW, 406-453-3025 (evenings) for information on
museum hours or stop by Thursday evening meetings at 7:30 p.m.
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
1400 First Avenue North, 406-727-8255
Paris Gibson Square is perhaps the easiest building in the city to
locate given its gray sandstone walls and bright brick-red roof.
Built in 1896, it was named for the founder of the City and
served originally as a high school, then a junior high school. This
structurally beautiful building was refurbished and now houses
the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and features a wide variety of contemporary and modern art exhibits throughout the
year. Admission is free courtesy of Pacific Steel & Recycling.
www.the-square.org
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center
4201 Giant Springs Road, 406-727-8733
Jump back to a time when rivers ran clear and skies were big and
wide. Follow the Lewis and Clark Expedition across an uncharted west and learn how they overcame the unexpected with the
help of the native people. Movies, ranger programs, interactive
demonstrations and an outdoor speaker series during the summer appeal to all ages. Take home a bit of history from the
Portage Cache gift store. Summer Hours through September,
daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Adults $8, children under 16 years free.
www..fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/lcic.htm
Ursuline Retreat, Conference Centre and Museum
2300 Central Avenue, 406-452-8585
The Ursuline Centre stands as a symbol of spirituality and tranquillity in the heart of the Great Falls Community. This impressive landmark was once an academy and Boarding School and
has stood for the teaching of Christian values since 1912. The
facility features a visually beautiful chapel with murals of St.
Ursula and St. Angela Merici, an auditorium with a seating
capacity of 250, conference and meeting rooms, with overnight
accommodations for 100. The museum features painted murals,
Indian relics, musical instruments and other artifacts. It offers a
collection of over 100 years of history of the Ursuline Sisters, their
lives and how they helped shape the history of Montana. Tours are
by appointment only throughout the year.
Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum and Air Park
The Museum and Air Park are located just inside Malmstrom
AFB’s Main Gate at the East end of 2nd Ave North, Great Falls,
Montana. Civilian passes are available at the gate’s Visitor Center.
Admission is Free. The Museum is open 1000-1600 Monday Friday year round. Please call (406) 731-2705 in advance for special arrangements and group tours. Visitors may walk through
the Air Park during daylight hours everyday. Visit our web site:
www.malmstrom.af.mil/library/malmstrommuseum/index.asp
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Historic Downtown Great Falls
By Ellen Sievert, Cascade County Historic Preservation Office
Great Falls began with an act of imagination. Inspired
by descriptions penned by Lewis and Clark some seventyfive years earlier, Paris Gibson struck out from his Fort
Benton home to view the great falls of the Missouri. While
the falls created an unforgettable impression as a scenic
destination, it was not until the following year (1882) that
Gibson returned to the area, determined to complete his
investigation of the “entire series of the falls and rapids of
the Missouri.” From a high point in the landscape, he
viewed a “plain, unbroken by ravines” nestled between
two rivers, that moved him to say, “here I will found a
city.”
Gibson wasted no time in gathering land and expertise
to turn his dream into a reality. He amassed a collection of
soldier’s scrip which facilitated land acquisition for his
future city and acquired title to land along the river that
would be important for water power. He partnered with
railroad magnate, James J. Hill, whom he had known for
many years in Minneapolis, and enlisted the services of
Herbert P. Rolfe to survey the townsite in 1883.
Davidson Plaza, photos by Ben Chovanak
was then Chouteau County. Martha Edgerton Rolfe
described the actual 1884 townsite from the Rolfe preemption claim some two miles southeast of the river: “On
the long sweep of the land from our shack to the river,
grass and sagebrush grew, and nothing indicated that
here would rise a city. Piles of rocks were placed at the
corners of street and avenues to show their location.”
The townsite plat was filed September 29, 1884, in what
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For information on other buildings in this district and
other historic resources in Great Falls and Cascade County
contact the Historic Preservation Office located in Room
Four of the Civic Center or call 406 455-8435.
The period between 1910 and 1920, in which Great
Falls grew to a population of 24,121, effectively demonstrates the optimism held by downtown businesses. The
heavy styles of the 1890s gave way to brick, commercial
buildings with eclectic, Renaissance and Beaux Arts
details, most often executed in elaborate terra cotta. The
majority of the contributing buildings within the Central
Business Historic District date
from this period. Very few
major fires were recorded, and
many of the buildings of the
past were simply demolished
and replaced with stylish new,
and often larger, buildings.
In 2001, the Great
Falls/Cascade County Historic
Preservation Advisory
Commission (HPAC) initiated
an architectural and historical
inventory of the Great Falls
Central Business District. In
2004, the district was listed in
the National Register of the
nation’s resources considered
worthy of preservation.
Left: Architectural embellishment on the second
floor of the Graham Building. Above: One of Great
Falls’ old Theaters. Photos by Ben Chovanak
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4th of July Parade,
11 a.m. this year celebrating Great Falls
125th Anniversary
Downtown Great Falls
Association invites you
to discover and experience the historic and
economic core of the
Great Falls community.
Downtown is also
home to a unique collection of antique
shops, art galleries,
boutiques, restaurants,
beauty salons, and
hotels. In downtown,
you can shop, stroll,
sip cappuccino, enjoy
music or a special
event.
Friday, July 17, Shrine
week in Great Falls
with The Players
Banquet at the Civic
Center. This is open to
the public.
Saturday, July 18, the Montana East West Shrine
Game, parade at 11 a.m. For more information contact
John Hayes, 406-590-5646.
Saturday, July 25, Downtown Sidewalk Sale with the
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast.
Saturday, October 31, Halloween Safe Trick and Treat
in the Downtown Store.
Thursday’s Alive at 5 Block Party
Thursday, June 4 - Thursday, August 27, 5 - 9 p.m.
Live music, food and kids activities (new location
each week).
Friday, December 4, Christmas Stroll
Historic Tours:
Railroad Historic District Walking Tour
The Central Business Historic District Walking Tour
River’s Edge History Tour
For more information call 406-455-8435
The Taste of Great Falls
Thursday, June 18, 5 - 9 p.m. at Gibson Park with the
49th Street Blues Project.
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Great Falls Historic Trolley Tours - 406-771-1100
See page 13.
City Band Concerts
The Great Falls Municipal Band provides entertaining concerts
every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. from June 24 - August 12, at the
Gibson Park band shell. Limited bleachers seating, you can
bring your own chairs. For more information call 406-231-4770.
Bluegrass on the Bay
Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
7th Annual Bluegrass on the Bay in Odd Fellows Park in Great
Falls. More on page 16.
Great Falls Community Concert Association
Sunday, September 20, 2009, Chapter 6 – 7:30 p.m. Mansfield Theater
Friday, October 9, 2009, The Lowe Family – 7:30 p.m. Mansfield Theater
Saturday, October 24, 2009, Stringfever – 7:30 p.m. Mansfield Theater
Ozark Club, September 11 & 12, The History Museum, 422 2nd Street
South, featuring Montana Greatest Jazz Artist, David Morgenroth, piano.
For more information call 406-452-3462
River’s Edge Trail – Blues & Brews
The Tommy Castro Band is headlining the 14th annual River's Edge Trail
Blues & Brews. Also enjoy the Insomniacs and the 49th Street Blues Project
and outdoor beer garden. Outstanding
selection of beers, wines and delicious
foods. Friday, September 11, 5:30 p.m. to
midnight at the Mansfield Convention
Center is Great Falls. Tickets are $25 at
Mansfield Box Office, 406.455.8514 or
ticketing.greatfallsmt.net . Best Party in
Great Falls. All proceeds go to improve
and extend River's Edge Trail.
The Lewis and Clark Outdoor Art Gala will be held in Great Falls Friday,
June 19, 5 p.m. Thirty artists will participate in this year’s event, which
features original paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, woven textiles –
surely a piece to win every heart.
For more information please contact (406) 791-7732 or e-mail
[email protected]
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Seventh Annual Bluegrass on the Bay will be an all day event, Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
in Odd Fellows Park in Great Falls. It is a major fund-raiser for the The History Museum. In the previous six years, Bluegrass on the Bay has netted $87,000 and 6,200 people have attended.
This year bands playing bluegrass:
songs, voices and grooves in an interplay that is exhilarating, gratifying, and often hilarious. They are young
veterans of the folk and bluegrass circles, and play
banjo, harmonica, bass, mandolin, pedal steel, and guitar, while they sing new songs, and tell new stories.
Prairie Flyer Bluegrass Band
Bluegrass standards (old ones and soon-to-be-new
ones), folk, and rock and roll that won’t hurt. In short,
a wide variety of original songs, classics, freshly interpreted and reconstructed tunes. Above all, these guys
love music and know how to have a good time. Prairie
Flyer started its run in eastern Washington a number of
years ago.
Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, photo courtesy band
Spring Creek Bluegrass Band
“Spring Creek is another fast-rising, power-packed
young group. When they take the stage, not only does
the audience know they are going to hear great music,
but they know that the respect for the bluegrass soul
factor is alive and well in this band.
Simon Pure Bluegrass Band, photo courtesy band
Finders & Youngberg Bluegrass Band,
photo courtesy band
Simon Pure Bluegrass Band
Simon Pure is Cowboy slang for “the real thing”, and
that’s what this group of top-notch musicians from
Southern California endeavor to be. They’re music is
real Americana ranging from Bill Monroe to
Beetlegrass. The band combines close three and four
part vocal harmonies with instrumental dazzle.
Finders & Youngberg Bluegrass Band
Mike and Amy Finders and Aaron and Erin
Youngberg are four distinct musicians, merging styles,
This band has enjoyed rave reviews from those who
have heard them performing at venues ranging from a
few to a few thousand. It makes no difference to them,
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Bluegrass on the Bay at Odd Fellows Park
they just enjoy playing the music they love—And it
shows.
Check them out at www.simonpurebluegrass.com
Ruf Cut Grass headed by Jeni Dodd, a local musician who has performed at two previous Bluegrass on
the Bay Concerts will also be performing. The Russell
Country Cloggers are doing two special performances
in the afternoon. Their director is Ginger Gray of
Fairfield. Also, the Great Falls Junior Fiddlers will perform, led by Carol Helseth
Vendors are: Brian’s Top Notch Café’, Tropical
Island and Big Mouth BBQ, Meadow Gold Ice Cream,
Gusto Distributing and Eagle Beverage.
This year’s raffle includes $100 of free gas from
Montana Refining Company, a gift card from
Albertson’s for free groceries, a rifle from Scheels, a
Brian Morger print, and a piece of jewelry from
Sutherland’s Jewelry. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 for
$25.
The Great Falls Historic Trolley will provide free
shuttle service from Dick’s RV Park and the KOA
Campground to and from the concert site for concert
goers who wish to bring their R.V.’s or camp out.
Tickets are available at The History Museum, 422
2nd Street South or call 406-452-3462. Individuals $20,
families $30 in advance. At the gate: individuals $25,
families $35. No coolers or pets allowed, don’t forget
to bring your own blanket and chair.
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Historic Sites of Great Falls
Broadwater Overlook and Visitors Center
The Broadwater Overlook, located on a bluff south of the downtown area,
provides a spectacular view of the confluence of the Sun River and the
Missouri River and a panoramic view of the area. During the Christmas
Holiday Season the hillside
becomes a beautiful display of
lighted trees, as one strolls
among the lights there is a
sense of awe and wonderment.
A large 30’ by 50’ flag flies over
the bluff and large statues of
Lewis & Clark, Clark’s servant
York, and the dog Seaman,
stand sentinel above the river
offering a view of not only the
park below, but also the downtown, Meadowlark Country
Explorers at the Portage, by Robert M. Scriver,
Club and Golf Course, and the
sculptor. Lewis & Clark, Clark’s servant York, and
west side of the city. The Great
the dog Seaman. Photo by Ben Chovanak
Falls Visitor’s Center, located at
15 Overlook Drive, provides extensive information on the entire Great Falls
area with WIFI access.
The Vinegar Jones Cabin
The Cabin was built on the Southside of
the Original Great Falls Townsite in the
Spring of 1884 by Fort Benton carpenter,
Josiah Peeper. We believe the Cabin was
the first permanent home built in the
Townsite, and that it is the only remaining building from 1884. In 1890 W. G.
Jones bought a lot across Fifth Avenue
South and moved the Cabin to the new
site. Jones built an addition on the back
of the Cabin, and the Jones family lived
there until 1912, when Jones moved a
two-story frame house to the same lot.
Until his death in 1931, and the death of
his wife, Rosa, in 1938, the Cabin was
preserved, protected, and rented. The
Cabin survived fires, demolition permits, and in 2001 was bought by Mark
Blom and Dale Nelson. The “Little Cabin That Could” has survived time, the
elements, fire, and demolition permits to take its place of honor in Gibson
Park. Inside the cabin you will see 1880s era furnishing and interpretive displays honoring the founding of Great Falls.
Interpretive Displays:
Founding of Great Falls Townsite: 1883 Rolfe First Survey Map; 1884 Great
Falls Townsite Map; 1891 Great Falls Perspective Map
Cabin: 1884 Josiah Peeper—Gibson/Hill Cabin Lot “Deed”; Cabin
Locations & Dates; Cabin Photos: Earliest known; Before, During, and
After Restoration.
Vinegar Jones Family: Jones’ path from Maine to Montana; Builder Jones
highlights: Fort Assiniboine, Grand Union Hotel, early Great Falls
Buildings; Portraits of Vinegar and Rosa Jones.
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P
B
l ay
Centene Stadium
1015 25th Street North
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 452-5311
or (877) 815-1950
Website: www.gfvoyagers.com
Game Times Monday - Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.
2009 Voyagers Home Games:
June 26 -28, Billings Mustangs;
June 29 & 30, Missoula Osprey;
a l l
July 4 & 5, Helena Brewers;
July 15 - 17, Ogden Raptors;
July 18 - 21, Orem Owls
July 25 & 26, Helena Brewers;
July 31, August 1 & 2, Missoula Osprey;
August 6 - 8, Missoula Osprey;
August 17 - 19, Casper Ghost;
August 20 - 22, Idaho Falls Chukars;
August 23, Helena Brewers;
August 30 & 31, Helena Brewers;
September 1- 3, Billings Mustangs;
September 8 & 9, Helena Brewers;
September 10 & 11, Billings Mustangs.
Historic Taverns of Great Falls
In the old west, the taverns of any community were a focal
point of the culture, a gathering place for the members of the
community. While many settlers’ cabins were very basic, with
dirt floors and single rooms, the taverns of the time were quite
often elaborate, featuring ornate back bars that were shipped
from the east up the Missouri River and moved by wagon to
their new homes. Today we have the opportunity to see a bit
of the past in taverns around Great Falls where the ornate
back bars of yesterday are still in use.
City Bar & Casino, 709 Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT
In 1939, as Prohibition was ending, the City Bar opened its
doors on Central Avenue under the name “City Beer Parlor,” a
name that was the result of a naming contest which carried a
$25 prize. Some people suggested the name “Last Chance”
since many predicted it would fail, but it has remained at the
same location since opening.
state, the promise of friendly relations between men in all sections of the state and preserving of the ideals and color of the
Old West.”
This display of memorabilia is an exiting and vital link to
the history of Great Falls and the legends of the past who
defined the greatness of Montana and our nation.
Museums of Great Falls
The Montana Law Enforcement Museum – Holiday Village
Mall, 1200 10th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT
The museum is dedicated to the men and women that have
served law enforcement in the State of Montana for over the
past 140 years, Over 120 men and women have given their
lives while pursuing justice in the State of Montana.
The original establishment was small, measuring 25’ by 50’,
but in 1976, the owners expanded the size of the bar to a comfortable 50’ by 70’. A wood-burning stove was added to the
décor in 1976, an antique that started out as a coal burner in a
hotel in northeastern North Dakota.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park – Visitor Center
4202 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT
Visitor Center opened in 1987 and is a
self-guided tour, includes mounts of
Big Horn Ram Sheep, Elk, Moose,
Bison, Whitetail Deer, Antelope,
Mountain Lion, Grizzly Bear, Black
Bear, Wolverine, Canadian Lynx,
Great Horned Owl, Adult Snowy
Owl, immature Golden Eagle,
Chinese Pheasant Cock,
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye
and a Prairie Dog mound and burrows display. Also included for viewing are a warden (poaching) display
Wolverine - Photo by and fishing display. Hours are 8 a.m.
- 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. It is free of
Ben Chovanak
charge to non-residents and residents.
The massive Brunswick back-bar was installed early on and
had originally been a pre-prohibition piece that stood in the
Great Falls Hotel on First Avenue South for many years.
In 2009, The City Bar received the Legacy Award from The
History Museum.
Cowboy’s Bar-Montana Cowboy’s Museum,
311 3rd Street NW, Great Falls, MT
Across the river to the west of downtown Great Falls is the
Cowboy Bar. This establishment is unique among taverns in
that it is the site of the Montana Cowboy’s Museum, a lasting
tribute to the settlers, pioneers and stockmen who carved the
legacy of the area. With over 500 mementos of a by-gone era,
the museum is a vital link with the community’s past.
Girls Scouts Museum – 4930 9th Avenue South,
Great Falls, MT
Preservation of the area’s past was originally stated in the
goal of the Montana Cowboy Association: “. . . The restoration
and retention of the hospitality common in early days of the
19
Giant Springs State Park
Rough Legged Hawk, photo by Bob
Brown, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Plants in Park
Giant Springs, photo ©2009 by Ben Chovanak
Giant Springs State Park
A huge underground freshwater
ocean is created when water seeps
through the cracks of the Madison limestone. The Madison limestone has been
dated to be about 350 million years old.
Most of the water is collected near the
Little Belt Mountains, which are roughly 40 miles south of Great Falls,
Montana. After the water is collected in
the Kootenai sandstone the underground freshwater is forced out of
cracks in the earth’s crust, which forms
Giant Springs. The water is pressured
through the crack traveling about 340
feet from the ground water level to the
brim of the spring and eventually flows
into the Missouri River. If you look up
river toward Black Eagle Dam from
Giant Springs, the first island you see is
Steamboat Island. If you look closely on
the east end of the island, water is bubbling up at that point too, this of course
is another spring.
The 3,238 acres of Giant Springs
State Park includes many native
plants Lewis and Clark found on
their journey. Plants you will find
are the Silver Sage, Rubber
Rabbitbrush, Purple Prairie Clover,
Indian Blanket, Wild Licorice,
Common Sunflower, Creeping
Juniper, Blue Flax, Prickly Pear
Cactus, Chokecherries, Golden
Current, Woods Rose, Needle and
Thread Grass, and Cattails. This is
not a complete list.
Birds
You will find Bald Eagles, Rough
Legged Hawk, Canada Geese, Great
Horned Owls, Cliff Swallows,
Mourning Doves, Wrens, Robins,
and Brewers Blackbird, and the
Western Meadowlark. All these
birds were described by Lewis and
Clark in the journals and are still
found in Giant Springs State Park.
This is not a complete list.
Mammals
The Red Fox, Coyote, Eastern Grey
Squirrel, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer,
Beaver, Yellow-bellied Marmot, and
Pronghorn. All these animals are
found in Giant Springs State Park
and were described by Lewis and
Clark in their journals. This is not a
complete list.
Roe River photo ©2009 by Ben Chovanak
The site, prevalent in Native
American folklore, was first noted in
historical writing in 1805 by Clark,
who told his partner Lewis of his find.
Lewis then set out to see the site and
walked the south bank of the Missouri
River over what is now the River’s
Edge Trail. Currently the Lewis &
Clark natural history trail is a walking
trail between the Lewis & Clark
Interpretive Center and the Giant
Springs Park. Also on the grounds of
the park is one of Montana’s fish
hatcheries which hatches and raises
about 1.3 million fish including rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. The
park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk year
round, admission for non-resident $5
per car, free to Montana residents with
annual vehicle registration fees. For
more information call (406) 454-5840.
Roe River
The Roe River is one of the shortest
rivers in the world at 201 feet long. It’s
a river because it is a main tributary of the Missouri
River. During drought season Giant Springs contributes
1/6 of all the water in the Missouri River. A lot of this
water is forced through the Roe River channel and out
to the Missouri River.
• 156 million gallons of water comes out of
the spring every 24 hours.
• Water is 54 degrees 24 hours everyday of
the year.
• Became a state park in 1972.
22
First Peoples Buffalo Jump
The First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, located south of
Great Falls, provides an educational and scenic adventure into
the past. Prehistoric inhabitants of the Great Plains, as a primary means of survival, hunted bison by stampeding them
over cliffs and the First Peoples Buffalo Jump is one of the best
preserved “buffalo jumps” in the northwest. Recent research
has revealed that this site is perhaps one of the largest of its
kind in the world. There are workshop explaining the ancient
hunting method used by the Native Americans who hunted
here nearly two thousand years before Lewis & Clark passed
through the area.
The park offers a 3 mile hiking trail, visitors center and
“what the buffalo became” exhibit, views of our mountain
ranges, picnicking area, a prairie dog town, and special events.
Admission is $5 per car for non-resident, free to Montana residents with annual vehicle registration fees. Park hours are 8
a.m. - 6 p.m., April 1 - September 30. October 1 - March 31 visitor center is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday, and
12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday
For more information on group tours, or reservations, call
(406) 866-2217 or 866-2219
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
photo ©2009 by Ben Chovanak
Tower Rock State Park
cious parking lot, then learn about the geology and history of the site with five interpretive panels located at
the trail head. The trail to the base of the saddle is maintained for a quarter-mile. Tower Rock State Park is a day
use only park. Overnight camping is allowed in nearby
fishing access sites.
Before Tower Rock was referenced in the journals of
the Lewis and Clark Expedition, many Native American
tribes used the rock as a landmark when they were
entering and leaving the rich buffalo grounds of today’s
north central Montana. Captain Meriwether Lewis
noted in his journal “an Indian road enters the mountain at the same place with the river on the Stard side
and continues along it’s border under the steep clifts.”
Lewis also wrote in his journal, “At this place there is a
large rock of 400 feet high wich stands immediately in
the gap which the Missouri makes on it’s passage from
the mountains... This rock I called the tower. It may be
ascended with some difficulty nearly to it’s summit and
from it there is a most pleasing view of the country we
are now about to leave. From it I saw that evening
immense herds of buffaloe in the plains below.”
Meriwether Lewis, July 16, 1805.
View from Pelican Point, looking up the Missouri River to Tower
Rock. Photo ©2009 Ben Chovanak
Tower Rock State Park is one of Montana’s newest
state parks. The 400-foot high igneous rock formation lies
in a 140-acre site along the stretch of the Missouri River
between Craig, Montana and Pelican Point Fishing
Access Site. The public can park their vehicle in the spa23
Sluice Boxes State Park
Left: Visitors enjoying the scenic tail in the Sluice Boxes canyon.
Above: Floating the Belt Creek thorough Sluice Boxes canyon.
Photos courtesy Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Sluice Boxes State Park, located south of Belt, Montana,
remains to be a fascinating playground for historians,
nature lovers, and the average recreationist. The history
behind Sluice Boxes State Park, emphasizing its role in
mining and ranching during the late 1800s and early
1900s. Some prehistoric data has been recorded, but has
revealed very little in terms of artifacts and the Native
Americans who utilized the area.
Albright was the largest mining production in the Sluice
Boxes canyon, but two small towns, Logging Creek and
Riceville, laid on each end of the canyon. Their contribution to the railroad and mining of natural resources was
also evident.
Davis Rice settled the townsite of Riceville in 1887.
Also, in 1887, he and J.C. Wells started a partnership in
ranching. The Riceville Bench, where many ranchers ran
cattle, was also known as Michigan Flats, as many of them
had previously lived or worked in that state.
Logging Creek, formerly known as Morris and
Campsite, was settled in 1889. Logging, mining, and fishing tapped surrounding natural resources. The timber
industry was the main focus in the area during Logging
Creek’s early years. However, it later became a popular
resort area for many tourists in the outlying area.
For more information on the history and management
of the Sluice Boxes State Park, contact the Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. 406-454-5840
24
Play Great Falls Montana
There are 57 city parks within the Great
Falls Parks and Recreation Department.
Most notable and worth visits are:
Gibson Park - The largest of the city
parks, named for the city founder, Paris
Gibson, features a statue of the founder
at the entrance at Park Drive and Elks
Riverside Park Fourth Avenue North.
The park features a large duck pond
where one can feed the ducks and geese,
walking paths for exercise in various
marked distances and routes, tennis
courts, horseshoe pits, playgrounds,
Skate Park, and covered picnic areas
Lions’ Park - located at 27th Street and
10th Avenue South, this park features
covered picnic areas, play structure, tennis courts, and a replica of an Air Force
Fighter Jet.
West Bank Park - across the river to the
west from Gibson Park, this park features
a covered picnic area and open barbecue
pits and affords the visitor a close-up
view of Sacajawea Island and a panoramic view of the downtown area to the east.
Wadsworth Park - This Park is the
largest and least developed of those within the park system. It lies on the west
edge of Great Falls and can be accessed
by driving westbound on Central Avenue
West to the edge of the city. It features a
skeet shooting range, a small lake for
non-motorized water crafts with a HC
accessible fishing dock and affords the
visitor a glimpse of the pristine nature of
the area the way settlers originally found
it. Broadwater Bay - As the flow of the
Missouri River approaches the downtown area of Great Falls, it widens into a
slow-moving wide expanse of water
known as Broadwater Bay. This area has
been developed into a recreation area
complete with boat launch and adequate
parking for boat trailers. From
Broadwater Bay, motorized craft can travel upstream for several miles in the
Missouri as well as the Sun River.
Motorized boats and jet skis are popular
here and there is plenty of room for an
afternoon of sunbathing or swimming.
Morony Natatorium Pool -While most of
the city parks are covered in snow or ice
and the birds have gone south for the
winter, the Park and Recreation
Department continues to actively function during the winter months in the
operation of the Morony Natatorium
Swimming Pool. This indoor swimming
pool, located at First Avenue North and
Twelfth Street, provides year-round
swimming as well as swimming lessons,
kayak and canoe lessons, classes for parent-tot swim, water babies, pre-school
swim programs, lap swimming, adult fitness and aerobic swims. For times of the
various activities call 771-1265 or 4523783.
Electric City Water Park – 454-9008
Montana’s “Coolest Hot Spot” has got to
be the Electric City Water Park. Just off
the Missouri River and a short walk from
downtown, the Electric City Water Park
has fun for “kids” of all ages. Swim in
the Olympic size Mitchell Pool or head
down the Power Tower Plunge with two
165 foot tall wild and winding water
slides. Check out the Flow Rider - boogie
board on the surf, ride the lazy river and
head down the riptide slide. Mothers like
the Little Squirts Soak Zone with the colorful play equipment, baby pool and
play center.
Eagle Falls Golf Club - 761-1078
Eagle Falls is a newly renovated golf
course designed by Les Furber. Located
along the Missouri River with new generous sized greens and sculpted bunkers,
lakes, fountains, trees and white sand
traps add beauty and strategy for our
guests. Golfers can choose their challenge
and length of play from four sets of tees
ranging from 5,234 to 6,571 yards. The
championship, par 71 course, is well
bunkered and finishes with a challenging
par 4 eighteenth dogleg right, which
requires a well placed tee shot, followed
by an accurate approach over water to a
heavily bunkered green.
Anaconda Hills Golf Course - 761-8459
This 18 hole, par 69 course offers a
unique golfing experience for golfers of
all skill levels. Located on the bluff above
the Missouri River, it features great views
of the city, the river and the surrounding
mountains. Built in the 1920s, the front
nine rolls up and down between mature
cottonwood, and spruce trees, offering a
traditional parkland atmosphere. The
back nine opened in 1992, and is a linksstyle design with natural rough, ponds
and ravines providing the challenge. The
18 hole has two par fives, eleven par
fours, and five par threes.
25
Lewis and Clark National Historic
Trail Interpretive Center
Written by Jane Weber
dle. Each morning a different activity awaits those willing to make the short hike to the river’s edge. Stop in
the lobby and have a conversation with a park ranger
on a variety of subjects relating to the expedition’s time
at the Great Falls. Every hour, enjoy a short ranger program on a variety of subjects or follow the Lewis and
Clark trail vicariously in the comfort of the theater as
you view one of two alternating feature films. Twice a
day (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) grade-school children (ages 612 years) are invited to join a ranger for a 45-minute
Explorer Activity inside or outside the museum while
their parents leisurely tour the exhibits. Families who
prefer to stay together can choose to explore the 6,000
square foot exhibit hall using the Junior Explorer packet
to engage their children’s imaginations. Youngsters 5-12
years, accompanied by a parent, scour the exhibits in
pursuit of answers to Lewis and Clark questions.
Correct answers earn the reward of a commemorative
patch.
Variety Rivals Lewis’s
Time in Great Falls
Richard Boss, Ranger at
the Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Center
If you thought the Lewis
and Clark Interpretive
Center came and went
with the Bicentennial a few years back, you are mistaken. Visitors to the Lewis and Clark National Historic
Trail Interpretive Center are often struck by the array of
adult and family activities available to the curious and
inquisitive. Lewis and Clark themselves didn’t
encounter more activity when they bypassed the great
falls of the Missouri River 204 years ago. The American
flag they carried flew over a vast, wind-swept landscape; and while the explorers never envisioned the
prosperous city of Great Falls, they marked its recorded
history. Annual celebrations come and
go, but the Lewis and Clark story
thrives in this city. Plan a visit to the
Interpretive Center and see for yourself.
Friday and Saturday Evenings
Tote your lawn chair to the
Interpretive Center on any Friday or
Saturday summer evening at 7 p.m.
and enjoy a special presentation
along the Missouri River. Different
every week, Friday Lawnchair programs feature musicians and presentations from the explorer’s perspective and Saturday Indian Voices programs provide insights from an
Indian perspective with presenters
from Montana’s Indian Tribes or historians/anthropologists with expertise on Montana’s rich Native
American history. All programs are
free. Presentations move indoors if
projection equipment is needed or
inclement weather persists. See
schedule below.
New Exhibit on Display through
December 2009
Why are only a few tipis painted?
What do the intricate animal images
reveal? On exhibit through December
2009, The Blackfeet Painted Tipi:
Enduring Art, Spiritual Symbol clarifies
some misconceptions about this icon
in Indian country. More than an art
form, the painted tipi signifies a spirituality, power and most importantly
responsibility of the owner. See twenty-six original serigraphs of painted
Photos courtesy Lewis & Clark
lodges from Sun Dance ceremonies in
Interpretive Center
the mid-1940s. Reflect on the long history of designs passed down through generations of
Lawnchair, Friday, June 12, meet Jeff LaRock for Bleed
families and friends. More than an art form? Most cerBlister and Purge and learn about the rudimentary methtainly.
ods of doctoring the explorers 200+ years ago. Prepare
to be titillated.
Daily Throughout Summer
Choices, choices - stop by any summer day when the
Interpretive Center bustles with interactive options for
the young and “more experienced.” Mornings, stroll the
paved path to the banks of the Missouri River where the
whole family can raise a tipi, practice William Clark’s
method of navigation, strike steel against flint for firestarting, track wildlife, or make a hemp bracelet or can-
Lawnchair, Friday, June 19, join Dave Dalton for the
Biological Legacy of Lewis and Clark to gain a new perspective on the exacting observations and recordings
made by the captains.
Lawnchair, Friday, June 26, walk the line with Cold
Hard Cash and re-live the classic songs of Grammy
26
Indian Voices, Saturday, August 1, meet Paul Ratzka, historian and anthropologist from Choteau, MT. and learn
about the Fisheaters on the Plains.
Award-winning signer-songwriter, Johnny Cash. Come
early for the opening act, JD Smith and the 3 Legged Dog.
This is a ticketed event ($12 in advance and $15 on concert
day), since it is part of the 20th annual Lewis and Clark
Festival. Tickets sold by contacting http://ticketing.greatfallsmt.net. See accompanying article for complete listing
of all Festival events.
Lawnchair, Friday, August 7, join Park Ranger, Brianna
Cooper for her program, title to be announced.
Indian Voices, Saturday, August 8, listen to Darrell Kipp,
Blackfeet native language expert, discuss Age Old Ways in a
Modern Day: Age Old Schools of Knowledge Deserve a Rightful
Place in Today’s Circles of Learning. Kipp advocates traditional methods as an integral part of today’s education.
Lawnchair, Friday, July 3, hear Dick Boss unravel the
Myths of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to reveal the truth
about the misinformation heard or written about the
Corps of Discovery’s experiences.
Lawnchair, Friday, August 14, join Park Ranger Joel
Morken for his program, title to be announced.
Lawnchair, Friday, July 10, meet Byron Weber and enjoy
an evening of Butterflies and Pollination with this selftaught expert. Stay after the program for nightfall and
enjoy special moth observations. On Saturday, July 11 at 1
p.m. and again at 3 p.m. meet Rachel Marden for her
accompanying program, The Pollinator’s Garden and learn
about the insects, animals, and natural events that pollinate plants.
Indian Voices, Saturday, August 15, meet historian and
traditional plant expert, Rosalyn LaPier, who will present
Star Boy and other Fungi’s: The Role of Fungus in Blackfeet
Life. LaPier has become an annual guest program presenter.
Lawnchair, Friday, August 21, prepare to clap your hands
with Jeni Dodd and Dale Lee. Enjoy their musical performance, This Land was Made for YOU and Me: Roots of
American Music and explore the melodies that framed our
musical memories.
Indian Voices, Saturday, July 11, join Spencer Momberg
from the Blackfeet Tribe for The Blackfeet Painted Tipi: One
Man’s Perspective and gain personalized insights into one
man’s journey and responsibility as a painted lodge
owner.
Indian Voices, Saturday, August 22, meet author and
University of Montana Professor, Debra Earling, for her
presentation A New Look; the Lost Journals of Sacajawea.
Earling is author of Perma Red, a novel about growing up
on the Flathead Reservation in the 1940s.
Lawnchair, Friday, July 17, join Rob Nurre in first-person
as Olin Wheeler for “On the Trail with Lewis and Clark” as
Wheeler shares his impressions along the route of the
expedition 100 years ago.
Lawnchair, Friday, August 28, join Park Ranger, Ryan
Badger for his program, title to be announced.
Indian Voices, Saturday, July 18, enjoy the music and stories of The Poetsinger, Jack Gladstone, as he performs along
the Missouri River.
Lawnchair, Friday, July 24, join Dugan Coburn his presentation, The Iron Frame Boat and learn the plans and
escapades of transporting and assembling Captain Lewis’s
“Experiment.”
Indian Voices, Saturday, August 29, hear author Adolph
Hungry Wolf discuss his research on Compiling the Blackfoot
Papers, the larges set of books written on one particular
tribe. James Boy of the Blackfeet Tribe and grandson of
Bird Rattler will join Hungry Wolf that evening.
Indian Voices, Saturday, July 25, hear Professor E.B.
Eiselein from Flathead Community College share his
Indian History of Montana.
Lawnchair, Friday, September 4, meet Fawn Waranauskas
for Tremendious Weather Events a review of the calm and
storm encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Lawnchair, Friday, July 31, join Park Ranger, Mary
Woelkers for her program, title to be announced.
Indian Voices, Saturday, September 5, join William Farr,
former chair of the History Department at the University
27
of Montana and current Associate Director of the
O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West for his
discussion on the newly released book, Lanterns on the
Prairie: The Blackfeet Photographs of Walter McClintock.
Farr will focus on his chapter in the book, A Point of
Entry: The Blackfeet Adoption of William McClintock.
Annual L
Rendezvous with Destiny: Mysteries Unsolved
It’s been over 200 years since Captains Lewis and Clark
and the Corps of Discovery traveled through Montana on
their way back to St. Louis. The men (and woman) of the
expedition were hearty frontiersmen. They had been traveling through uncharted territory for more than two years
and they had only lost one member of the expedition.
They hunted and traded for the things they needed to proceed on. They tended to each other’s wounds and worked
together for the good of the group. The journey had prepared them for their “Rendezvous with Destiny”.
September Native American Commemoration
Join members of Montana’s Native American Tribes for
demonstrations and traditional dancing at the Lewis
and Clark Interpretive Center on Saturday, September
19, 2009 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy an Indian taco, too!
October Voices in the Shadows
October, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of the tragic
death of Captain Meriwether Lewis. This bigger-thanlife figure, who overcame hardship and challenge to
successfully lead his small detachment to the Pacific and
return, fell under mysterious circumstances on the
Nachez Trace in Tennessee. Was Lewis murdered or did
he die of his own hand? A re-enactment of a fictional
coroner’s inquest into this true American hero’s tragic
death will determine once and for all, by you the jury,
the cause of Lewis’s death. The re-enactment, performed
in the Center’s theater, will be presented at 7 p.m. on
Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2009. An
afternoon matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. on
Sunday, October 25, 2009. Attendance is free and on a
first-come-first serve basis for all performances.
What is your destiny? Join the Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Center, Lewis and Clark Interpretive
Association and the Honor Guard at the 2009 Lewis and
Clark Festival to get a taste of life – Corps of Discovery
style. Learn about the trials of their journey as well as
events coming after their return.
The Festival runs for three days, from June 26 - 28, 2009,
and it literally has something for everyone.
The fun kicks off on Friday, June 26 with two
Children’s Discovery Camps; the first from 9 a.m. noon, and the second from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Friday afternoon brings the Opening
Ceremony featuring a
Black Powder Salute by
the Lewis & Clark Honor
Guard at the Interpretive
Center. The evening featured event is a ticketed
outdoor concert at the
Interpretive Center, featuring Great Falls’ own
Cold Hard Cash Show
preceded by JD Smith
and the 3 Legged Dog, against the backdrop of the
mighty Missouri River. Come early and pick up dinner
at our concession stand and don’t forget your lawn
chairs—this is a once in a lifetime event you won’t want to
miss!
December Drop and Shop
Pre-register your school-aged children (grades K-6) for
an afternoon of educational activities while you escape
to do some holiday shopping or baking. From 1 p.m. - 4
p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009 and repeated
again on Sunday, December 13, 2009 your child or
grandchild will have hands-on fun and create new
memories from life and holidays of long ago - holiday
card making, ornament making and much more. Plan
ahead and register early, these sessions fill quickly.
Come Visit!
Frame your own opinion, now, after reading this
exhaustive list of available activities happening at the
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive
Center. Is the Lewis and Clark story done and gone?
Don’t tell that to a visitor leaving the Interpretive
Center. You just may find yourself, as did Meriwether
Lewis when chased by a grizzly bear, up against an
adversary with a very different opinion.
Saturday kicks off with a
day-long float trip leaving the
Interpretive Center at 8 a.m.
Float 16 breathtaking miles of
the mighty Missouri River
from Morony Dam to Carter’s
Ferry while historian Don
Summer Hours from Memorial Weekend through
September, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily
Winter Hours beginning in October
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from
Noon – 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays in winter.
28
Lewis & Clark Festival
Written by Sally Murphy
Peterson shares his lifelong knowledge
of local and Lewis & Clark history the
whole way. Join the Honor Guard at 10
a.m. at the Interpretive Center for a
flag raising and the official opening of
the Lewis and Clark Encampment.
Experience the excitement, thrills and
perils of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition as members of the Lewis
and Clark Honor Guard demonstrate
cooking, navigation, medicine, trading
on the trail, sign language and furs,
hands-on activities at every station and
much more. The Honor Guard is the
premier Lewis and Clark living history
organization in the nation.
Tacos, at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive
Center from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday &
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday’s events conclude with the
exploration of one man’s destiny. Join us
at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
for an evening entitled “An Unfinished
Life: The Last Day in the Life of
Meriwether Lewis” with David Jolles
playing the part of Captain Lewis. The
evening begins at 7 p.m. at the Lewis
and Clark Interpretive Center with
Jolles’ 1st person narration. The famous
explorer will come to life to tell his story
of what really happened that fateful
night in the fall of 1809. Participate in
furthering the debate (murder vs. suicide) over his demise and learn of the
complex and intriguing series of events
leading up to his death.
The day long festival also includes
Tribal Traditions as members of the
many Native American Tribes from
Montana bring their heritage alive.
Dancing, storytelling, crafts and more
will be featured during the day. In
addition, the Interpretive Center will
once feature a “Moccasin Run”, a low
tech scavenger hunt. Check out the
Wax Museum from 1 - 4 p.m. to meet
historic characters from different eras.
Take in, and take home, beautiful
Native American art at our 2nd Annual
Art Show. Be sure to bring your GPS
unit to do some Geocaching around the
Park and Center. Take home a handcrafted memento from our first
Traditional Craft Show and Sale. Meet
Seaman, the dog who joined the Corps
of Discovery on their journey, and
many of his friends at 11 a.m. and 1
.pm. Encounter and learn about snakes
of all shapes and sizes at 11:30 a.m. and
3:30 p.m. Take in the stunning music of
Blackfeet flutist Troy De Roche at 1:30
p.m. and 3 .pm.
On Sunday, participate in a 1/2 day
Missouri River Float Trip. Join us for
another day full of Fine Arts as well as
crafts at the Interpretive Center.
Blackfeet flutist Troy De Roche will be
on hand once again to provide more
beautiful music at noon, 2 p.m. and 4
p.m. in the Interpretive Center theatre.
The 20th Annual Festival has it all:
food, fun, nature, music and so much
more – you won’t want to miss it! For
ticket registration and more information
contact the Lewis and Clark Interpretive
Association at 406-452-5661 or
www.lewisclarkia.com.
Plan lunch with us! Our Festival
Foods will serve a variety of morsels to
satisfy all taste buds at the Interpretive
Center from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you prefer something a little spicier, the Great
Falls Public Schools Indian Education
Parent Advisory Committee will be
selling Native Foods, including Indian
From Left to right counter-clock-wise: Lee
Eberling demonstrating navigation, Steve
Schaller demonstrating fencing, Ron Ukrainetz
prepping hide, Giant Springs encampment,
Beans and blarney, Native American dance,
and Dugan Coburn voices in the shadows.
Photos courtesy Lewis & Clark Interpretive
Center
29
ART GALLERIES
A. Hooker’s Gallery & Custom Framing and Striz’s Espresso –
908 Central Avenue West
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-7156
[email protected]
A. Hooker’s Gallery opened its doors November 16, 2002, in
memory of Arlene Hooker Fay. The gallery has the best selection of original art in Great Falls and offers custom conservation
framing. You can enjoy an espresso drink in a friendly, relaxing
atmosphere while viewing the art or take with you. On the First
Friday Art Walk a new exhibit opens with an artist reception,
live music and refreshments. Lori Fay and Bill Strizich welcome
you to their gallery.
Four West Art League
The Columbus Center, Fourth Floor
1601 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls. MT 59401
Artists’ studios and gallery. Open to the public on the First
Friday of the month from 6 - 9 p.m. Demonstrations and featured artists monthly. Artists: Patricia Bushly, Gary Davison,
Kalie Evans, Maryellen Gutacker, Bernie Hagerman, Gudrun
Linden, Janet Sedlacek, Timothy Seery, Tracy Younger, Ali
Winberry and others.
Gallery 16 – 608 Central Avenue
Great Falls, Montana • 406-453-6103
www.gallery16greatfalls.com
In the early seventies there were few contemporary art galleries
in Montana. Seven women banded together to form a co-op
where they could sell their own contemporary art, showcase other
artists and, for some, find a space away from home to create their
own work. Over the decades, the gallery has moved to successively larger quarters, added members and now displays the
work of over 100 local and regional artists. New exhibits opening
on the First Friday Art Walk with artists’ reception 5 - 9 p.m.
Hausmann Studio – 423 Central Avenue
P O Box 6, Fairfield, MT 59436 • 406-467-3432
www.dianehausmann.com
Hausmann Studio is a gallery/studio showing Diane’s original
paintings, prints and miniature equine sculpture in bronze. She
also features the work of the Front Range Art Association, a group
of 28 artists living and painting along the front range of the
Rockies. Hausmann also provides professional custom framing
for your originals, prints and keepsakes. E-mail: [email protected]
Lodestone Gallery – 318 Central Avenue
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-0288
After nearly two years of operation, Lodestone Gallery, has
become a co-op. The Lodestone co-op is comprised of Charles
Fulcher, Thomas English, R. Tom Gilleon, Laurie A. Stevens, H.
Steven Oiestad, Mike Patterson, W. Steve Seltzer, and Jeff Walker
– all accomplished area artists. Lodestone Gallery features some
of the newest works by all of the artists.
Studio 706 Artist Guild – 706 7th Avenue South
Great Falls, Montana • 406-452-5771 or 761-8228
[email protected]
Open: Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. or by appointment.
Meetings 3rd Thursday of the month 6 p.m.
First Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
Spring Show during Western Art Week
Fall Show - September 25-27, 2009
Nonprofit artist guild offering classes, mentoring, studio privileges and exhibition opportunities to local artists. College scholarships to Great Falls youth.
RESTAURANTS
5th Street Diner – 500 Central Avenue,
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-1962
Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch, daily special, salads, soups,
milkshakes, homemade pies and soda fountain. See page 13.
Borrie’s – 1800 Smelter Avenue
Black Eagle, MT • 406-761-0300
3rd Generation Proudly Serving You! Steaks, Chicken, Seafood,
and Homemade Spaghetti Sauce & Ravioli. Prime Rib Every
Tuesday. Wine Down Wednesday (1/2 price on bottle of wine with
purchase) Crab Legs Special Every Thursday. Open 5 p.m. to closing Tuesday-Friday, Saturday & Sunday, open 4 p.m.. Come and
experience the best!
City Bar & Casino – 708 Central Avenue,
Great Falls, Montana • 406-760-9432
Serving Lunch: Monday - Saturday, 11 .am.-3 p.m. Homemade
soups, hefty meat sandwiches, salads & special.
Daily Grind Coffee House, Deli & Bakery
320 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana • 406-452-4529
Serving Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
30
Wireless internet access, daily lunch special, all you can eat
soup & salad bar and delivery available. In the bakery, fresh
baked bread, whole pies and cakes. We do custom catering
and holiday events.
Daisy’s Deli and Health Food Store
508 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, MT • 406-452-0361
We invite you to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal or beverage
form our Breakfast, Lunch or Beverage Menu. Make sure to check
out our Baked Goods section too. Our food is primarily made from
organic ingredients, thus supporting a healthy choice of food or drink
for you. We also have gluten free baked goods. Health Food Store
has been in business for 50 years. We have a good selection of
tea as well as Organic, Gluten Free make-up, lotions and skin
care products.
Dimitris – 1919 3rd Street NW,
Great Falls, Montana • 406-452-5774
Authentic Greek Restaurant serving Lunch & Dinner: Monday
- Saturday, 11 a.m. to closing. See page 27.
Howard’s Pizza
Dine In - Take Out - Delivery
Celebrating 50 Years! Open 4 p.m. Daily
Four Locations in Great Falls to serve You!
Downtown: 713 1st Avenue North - 406-453-1212
East: 4300 3rd Avenue South - 406-454-1325
Southwest: 1800 14th Avenue S.W. - 406-454-1212
Northwest: 900 8th Avenue N.W. - 406-761-1321
Inge’s Fashions –1807 3rd Street N.W. #45
Great Falls MT • 406-452-6068
Inge’s Fashions is located at Westgate Mall. Inge’s carries all
sizes, Small through XL and Plus sizes 14W through 6X. Brand
names such as Coldwater Creek, Denim & Co., Quacker
Factory, Keren Hart and our “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans”,
endorsed by Oprah, Petite, Average and Plus. Stop in and
check us out.
The Barn Vintage Treasures –816 15th Street North
Great Falls, MT • 406-216-2277
E-mail: [email protected]
The Barn Vintage Treasures is open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m.
- 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. We have it all - secondhand to antiques. You may not leave with an armful of treasures, but you’ll leave with a mind full of memories. Come and
check us out!
PET RESORT
Weona Pet Resort – 6125 2nd Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana • 406-761-2000
The only indoor-outdoor heated kennel in Great Falls. Your
dog doesn’t have to wait to go outside. We provide doggie day
care, grooming, boarding and a great resort for your pets.
Military discounts available. Please visit our web site:
www.weonapetresort.com.
TAVERN
Taco del Sol – 16 6th Street South
Great Falls, MT • 406-761-2139.
Located in the heart of downtown Great Falls, Taco del Sol
serves up healthy Mission and Mission Supreme burritos, delicious fish, meat and veggie tacos, taco salads and our very
own salsa fresca prepared fresh daily! Experience our open-air
dining, fun atmosphere and free parking.
SHOPPING
Blue Ribbon of Montana – 3400 10th Avenue South, Ste 1,
Great Falls, MT • 406-761-1233
Choosing from our Montana-made products will give you,
your family and friends a taste of rich and earthy lifestyle that
simply cannot be matched. Come check out our gifts at Blue
Ribbon of Montana in Great Falls, visit mtgifts.com, or simply
phone to take advantage of our helpful services. You pick the
items...we gift wrap it, we pack it, we ship it, or we deliver it.
You can relax and be confident that you have just given someone the ultimate gift for any occasion made right here in
Montana.
Cascade Granite & Marble –2322 River Drive North
Great Falls, MT • 406-771-1111
E-mail: [email protected].
Website: www.cascadegranite.net
Cascade Granite & Marble is a fabricator of granite and marble, specializing in granite counter tops, granite and marble
vanities, for remodeling or new construction. Although, we
are not limited to these items; we also fabricate fireplace
hearths, table tops, just about anything that can be custom
made.
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Stein Haus – 711 1st Avenue North,
Great Falls, Montana • 406-727-8183
Large variety of Micro Brews and Imports, all Micro Brews on
tap or bottle. Two Happy Hours daily on Domestic Tap Beer:
12:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Domestic Bottles $2. Howard’s Pizza available after 4 p.m.
TOURS
Great Falls Historic Trolley/Tour de Great Falls, 406-771-1100
or 888-707-1100 (Outside MT)
“Historic” (2-hours) and “City” (1-hour) tours depart Visitor
Information Center, 15 Overlook Drive, daily June-September.
Climate-controlled fun trolley. Weddings, birthdays, reunions,
4-H, Anniversaries, Church/School Groups, Conferences, Scouts,
Christmas Luminaria, Special Occasions. In-town or out-oftown bus charters, custom tours, shuttle service year-round by
reservation. Glacier Park, Hutterite Colony, Dinosaur Digs, Buffalo
Jump. Gift Certificates. Group rates. See ad page 13.
Photo ©2009 by Ben Chovanak
Photo courtesy First Peoples Buffalo Jump
Photo ©2009 by Ben Chovanak
Spring and Summer Activities at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
Jump Talks
Saturdays 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. & 3
p.m., August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30.
Starting April 13, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State
Park begins summer hours. The state park 12 miles west
of Great Falls is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days
per week. Summer hours will run through September
25. During the spring and summer numerous programs
will take place at the park:
May 2009
2nd Annual Buffalo Jump Run
Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m., 1/2 marathon, 9:45 a.m. 10
k run & 3 mi. walk.
Co-sponsored by University of Great Falls
Supper & Speaker Series
Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Buffalo dinner;
Limited seating; $20 per person. Speaker: Jeff
Albrecht speaks on photographing Montana.
Atlatl Workshop
Friday, August 28, Saturday, August 29 & Sunday
August 30. Limited to 25 participants; cost TBD
September 2009
20th Annual Montana Mammoth Hunt
Friday, September 4, & Saturday, September 5, 10
a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Sunday, September 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
June 2009
Ulm Buffalo Days
Supper & Speaker Series
Friday, June 12, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Gourmet buffalo
dinner by Harold Goode; Limited seating; $20
adults, $8 children. Greg Keeler performs after dinner.
9th Annual First Peoples Buffalo Jump Atlatl
Event
Friday, September 18, & Saturday, September 19, 10
a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 20, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m., Fun Run, Walk & 5K Run,
Car show, R/C airplanes, vendors, and other activities all day Saturday.
Night at the Pishkun
Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. - Sunday, June 14, 8 a.m.
Sleepover camp for ages 9-12; $25 registration fee;
limit of 15.
First Nations Weekend Education Series
September 12, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. – Jim Ray; parafleche
workshop; limited space; cost TBD.
September 13, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Dr. Richard Ellis; “The
Changing Image of American Indians in Film.”
September 19, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Ruthann Knudson;
“Paleoindians in Montana: 13,000-8,000 Years Ago.”
September 20, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Professor E.B. Eiselein;
“Native American Spirituality.”
Sept. 26-27, program to be determined.
July 2009
Supper & Speaker Series
Saturday, July 18, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Buffalo dinner;
Limited seating; $20 per person. Speaker: Jim Ray
speaks on Hudson Bay Blankets.
Jump Talks
Saturdays 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. & 3
p.m., on July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26.
For more information on the spring or summer schedule
of events, call (406) 866-2217 or e-mail Park Naturalist
Robert Thomson at: [email protected].
August 2009
Night at the Pishkun
Saturday, August 8, 6 p.m. - Sunday, August 9, 8
a.m. Sleepover camp for ages 9-12; $25 registration
fee; limit of 15.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is free to Montana
residents with annual vehicle registration fees. Non-resident entrance fees are $5 per vehicle.
32
Ulm Celebrates 120th Birthday
Written by Donna Dugas
The community of Ulm along with First Peoples Buffalo Jump
State Park and Joe’s Trail, Inc. have come together to prepare for
the celebration of Ulm, Montana’s 120th birthday on June 12 - 13,
2009. Friday evening, the events begin at 6 p.m. at First Peoples
Buffalo Jump Visitor Center with Native
American activities, a gourmet buffalo dinner(for
which reservations need to be made by June 1 by
calling the Buffalo Jump at 866-2217) and entertainment provided by Greg Keeler of Bozeman.
sold. Mary and the children moved to Vancover, WA to make a
new life.
J.L. Largent and family were already residents of the area having settled in Ulm in the 1870s. They held land
interests to the south along the Missouri River
providing the ranch with plenty of that blue
joint hay. His sons Jasper, Lewis and Cyrus all
had ranching interests in the area as well.
Jasper, unfortunately met with an early death,
drowning in the Smith River while working
cattle and Lewis was also killed at an early
age in an auto accident. Cyrus continued to
ranch and lived in Ulm with his wife and family until 1960.
On Saturday the events will take place at both
the Buffalo Jump and in Ulm, Montana. The Ulm
Volunteer Fire Department will offer a pancake
breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. at Ulm’s School
Gym. Other activities include: vendor market,
yard sales, car show, fun runs and duck races, 4H
bake sale, RC model airplane flighting, old fashioned childrens games, an open house of the 1915
Ulm School where classes are still held, an historic
tour and historic displays, a huge birthday
cake cutting ceremony and supper followed by
karaoke at the Buffalo Wallow.
In 1889 David and Mary Churchill subdivided
and platted lots, blocks, and streets to designate
the townsite of Ulm. Thus the celebration of 120
years.
William Ulm came to the area about 1875
and ranched this area as well as having ranch
holdings in other nearby counties. In 1883 the
Ulm Post Office was located in the William Ulm
home and it is thought that he provided the
land for the railroad right of way. This may be
the reason the town of Ulm retains his name.
Ulm never married, but enjoyed the presents
of his niece, Matie, as an official hostess.
William Ulm
His brothers, Wilson and Asbury Lake Ulm also
had come to Montana to help him with his properties.
No family records are available to tell us the exact date of
David and Mary’s arrival in Ulm, but it was probably about
1880. They had lived in both Sun River and Helena after their
wedding in July 1875.
One may wonder why Churchill chose the Ulm site for his
ranch, which he often referred to as The Old Mission Place. The
remains of the third location of St. Peter’s Mission was just a half
mile east of the Churchill house. The land was virgin except for
the Mission remains and a few graves of folks thought to
have died from smallpox while at the Mission. His nearby neighbors included J.L. Largent and William
Ulm.
The Missouri River overflowed
each spring making the blue joint
grass produce fine hay with few
weeds. Cottonwoods were abundant
to build a house and barn and he had
to know that the railroad was coming
through the area. It arrived in 1886.
In November 1901 William Ulm was knocked down and run
over by a horse drawn wagon in front of his home. A train was
flagged down and he was taken to a Great Falls hospital where
he died. He is buried at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls.
An interesting character, Sam Hughes, also called Ulm,
Montana his home for many years. Much of his history was written by himself and included in the book Great Falls Yesterday, a
WPA project in 1939. He had come to Montana with his father in
1868 and arrived in the Ulm area a few years later. He told of seeing the old building ruins of St.
Peter’s Mission and it bothered him
that some of the old graves had been
covered over by the railroad in 1886.
He talked of knowing Charlie
Russell and saying he wasn’t much
of a cowboy, but he sure could draw.
The Churchill’s raised shorthorn
cattle and very fine trotting horses and
the ranch had its own race track which
The Red Barn in Ulm existed from the 1940s - 1963
wasn’t fenced.
when it was destroyed by fire. A great night spot for
David died suddenly in 1893 leav- dancing. It also had performances by top name county
ing his widow to raise their five chilwestern stars such as Faron Young, Ferlin Huskie, Kitty
dren and run the ranch. Money was
Wells and more. Al & Leona Bergmann ran Bergmann’s
Barn prior to the Red Barn (1939-1943). This photo of
scarce, banks were closing and cattle
The Montana Cowboys, performed at the Red Barn
prices were down. David had some
life insurance which allowed Mary to which was sponsored by Graham and Ross. It was the
Cy Taillon group. Photos courtesy Donna Dugas
make expenses. In 1898 Mary rented
out the ranch and in 1910 it was
33
He was a big user of tobacco and
several old timers said, “ you could
always tell where Sam Hughes lived
by the pile of tobacco plugs near his
door.”
Sam worked for the Churchill’s
and was of great service after the
passing of David Churchill in 1893
until Mary Churchill sold the ranch
in 1898.
Sam made it a point to keep up
on local, state and national affairs by
reading extensively. Sam passed
away in 1941 in Great Falls.
Welcome To Choteau
Gateway to the Rocky Mountain Front
Photo by Ben Chovanak
southern sections of the community.
The community of Choteau, Montana located about
an hours’ drive northwest of Great Falls, was founded
thousands of years ago by dinosaurs. Today it is
inhabited by 1900 or so very friendly and accommodating people. Located at the junction of US
Highways 287 and 89 on the
Rocky Mountain Front, it is the
gateway to one of the nation’s
treasures, Glacier National Park.
Dinosaur Digs
Located a short 12 miles from Choteau, the site
known, as Willow Creek Anticline was the first location in North America to yield
dinosaur nests. Most notable
of the sites is “Egg Mountain”
where scientists have uncovered many egg collections. The
site has yielded two previously
unknown species of dinosaurs.
Tours may be booked through
the Museum of the Rockies
from late June to late August,
or may be booked through the
Old Trail Museum.
The town was actually founded by A. B. Hamilton who built
a small trading post on the Teton
River in 1873. Hamilton conducted his business primarily
with the Blackfeet Indians of the
area. In 1879, he took on a partner in his enterprise and the two
decided to establish a permanent storefront to accommodate
the growing numbers of settlers in the area.
Old Trail Museum
Old Trail Museum is a complex
of seven historical buildings that includes exhibits
and history of the Rocky Mountain Front Area. For
more information call (406) 466-5332.
Hamilton is attributed with naming the community
“Choteau” after one Pierre Chouteau who was active
in the building and settling of Fort Benton. There is
no record, however, of Chouteau
or any of his family ever having
resided or visited the community
of Choteau.
The Rocky Mountain Front
Experience the eastern slopes of
the Rocky Mountains, the scenic
and rugged area that has served
to define the beauty and uniqueness of Montana. The Bob
Marshall Wilderness experience,
Great Bear and the Lincoln/
Scapegoat Wilderness areas are
all accessible through trailheads
along this most scenic portion of
the great mountain range.
Choteau’s western hospitality,
scenic setting and varied activities
will make your visit one to
remember. It is the birthplace of
author A. B. Guthrie, who penned
the unofficial state motto, “Big
Sky Country.” Just a few of the
many things to see and do while
you are in Choteau are:
Freezeout Lake Waterfowl Refuge
Located 10 miles south of Choteau on
Highway 89, this lake provides a first
hand experience in bird and wildlife watching.
Witness the migration of snow geese, tundra swans,
pintail ducks, black-crowned night herons, yellow-
Teton County Courthouse
Photo by Ben Chovanak
Teton County Courthouse
This unique structure sits on the “village green” with traffic flowing on either side in the
center of town. The historic quarrystone structure sits
in the center of town and separates the northern and
34
August 1, Grizzly Marathon
New, improved routes, more race
options, full, friendly support, huge
vendor expo!! Races this year will
include: Full marathon, half
marathon, 10K and 5K, plus a 5K
kid's run. Local vendors, artists and
entertainers will provide diversions
for families and supporters before,
during and after the race. Race
Director Syd Rogers, [email protected]
headed blackbirds and teal. A
map of the dike roads and a list
of the birds are available at the
headquarters located at the east
end of the lake. No-fee camping
is available.
Pine Butte Swamp Preserve
This 18,000-acre preserve
includes Egg Mountain and provides wildlife viewing that
Old Trail Museum, photo by Ben Chovanak
includes grizzly bears and golden eagles. Trails are marked for a
September 4 - Old Trail Museum Flea Market
short hike and hiking areas are limited in other parts of
September 26 - Shadows of the Past Art Auction
the preserve to protect the bears.
Sun River Canyon
One of the largest herds of bighorn sheep gather annually in Sun River Canyon to test their mating abilities in a
loud, crashing of horns as they collide in their head-on
mating challenge. During the rest of the year they meander quietly through the canyon, grazing along the
canyon floor or bounding from cliff to cliff above.
Teton Canyon
Located west of Choteau, the two forks of the Teton
River contain four US Forest Service Campgrounds
along with hiking, riding and snowmobiling trails.
September 19-20 –Threshing Bee
November 14 - Soroptimists Winter Fair
December 5 -Christmas Stroll and Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony
December 31, 2009 - Firemen’s New Year’s Eve Dance
Celebration Station/9th & Main Gourmet
825 North Main, Choteau, Montana • 406-466-3880
www.choteaumt.net
Celebration Station/9th & Main Gourmet is a unique little shop, We are a Candy Bouquet franchise, gift shop,
and deli with something for everyone. New York Style
Bagels baked fresh daily and served with your choice of
specialty cream cheeses; freshly baked Artisan Breads
and Treats, Pita and Bagel Sandwiches, Homemade
Soups, Stews and Salads to go. Cold Pressed Coffee,
Espressos, Lattes', Breves', Italian Sodas, flavored
Gourmet Coffees, and Teas as well as 100% fruit
Smoothies and Gourmet Candies.
Events of Note:
June 24 - 27, 2009, Teton Count Fair
4-H Fair has activities to delight all: games, livestock
judging and sale, dog show, style show, and a dance.
Contact: Teton County Extension Office, 406-466-2491
July 1 - 4 , Sidewalk Sale
Come stroll the sidewalks of Choteau in the sunshine
and check out all the sales the local businesses will have
on display.
July 3, Legion Street Dance
After the Jaycee's event head downtown for more music
and fun! Dance located on 1st Ave. NW in between the
Legion Bar and Post Office.
July 3, Keg Hockey
A game of street hockey involving fire hoses, an empty
keg, and many wet bodies! Admission for watching is
free.
July 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Jaycees Summer Festival of Arts
in the Park in the City Park. Art On the Green, Duck
Races and Kids Carnival.
July 4 - Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade,
Annual Steak Fry at the Pavilion 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 64th
American Legion Rodeo, 2 p.m. & Fireworks Display
Choteau Chamber (406) 466-5316
35
Grizzly Sports – 219 N. Main,
Choteau, Montana • 406-466-5990
Grizzly Sports is located in downtown Choteau on the
Rocky Mountain Front, right in the heart of beautiful
Montana. We have the equipment, books, and tools you
might need. If you are looking for a gift or souvenir, we
have that too! We carry the Filson clothing line which is
some of the best outdoor clothing made today, we are
adding Carhart and Woolrich. Looking for a particular
gun, part, or ammunition? Our gunsmith can fix almost
any problem. We pride ourselves for our great service.
Visit use at www.wingsandwildthings.com
Pink cliffs on the Smith River
Photo ©2009 Ben Chovanak
Experience The Rivers
While the Missouri River is vital to the existence
of Great Falls and the surrounding farmland, it,
along with other tributaries in the area, provide a
variety of recreational and sporting experiences.
Boating, floating, fishing, swimming - all are available in abundance throughout the river system of
Cascade County.
Top: Fall colors on the Dearborn River. Above: Blackfoot River near
Lincoln, Montana. Photo ©2009 Ben Chovanak
Missouri Float Trips
There are several trips that can be taken on the
Missouri River. The “Missouri White Cliffs” trip brings
to life the historic beauty of the river and the sandstone
cliffs that are much the same as when they were first
encountered by Lewis and Clark. Swim, fish, hike, or
just relax on a 3, 4 or 5 day trip back in time. View old
homesteads and preserved American Indian sites.
meadows.
Day trips through both locations include delicious
deli lunches and cover approximately 16 miles of the
river. Half-day trips are also available, as well as one
hour trips. A dinner trip is also available which includes
an eight-mile float followed by a full course steak dinner complete with hors d’oeuvres and dessert, all served
riverside.
The Missouri River downstream from Great Falls
takes you through the white water cascades that challenged Lewis & Clark, through undeveloped badlands
terrain, past Sacajawea Springs, Belt Creek and more
placid waters toward Fort Benton.
Dearborn and Sun River Floats
From May to early July, while the spring runoff is
keeping the river levels up, you can float either of these
swift and spectacular rivers. Trips on these rivers begin
on the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains, flow through
beautiful and scenic canyons, and are among the most
beautiful excursions in the country. Lunches are included with these trips.
Wolf Creek Canyon section upstream from Great Falls
offers a close-up glimpse of the rugged and historic
area, with unique viewing of geological formations,
wildlife and the beauty of sheer cliffs, green forest and
36
The “Blue Ribbon Section” of the Missouri, fly fishing from
drift boat. Photo ©2009 Ben Chovanak
Smith River Floats
The Smith River ranks among the highest as far as
family trips. Float through its awesome canyon and
experience the comfortable, luxurious camps, great
food, outstanding scenery, Indian pictographs and
caves and excellent fishing. This 60-mile trip is a 5 to 7
day float trip for the ultimate Western-style vacation.
Fishing Trips
The area between Helena and Great Falls provides
some of the greatest fishing in the west. The Missouri
River, one of the top 10 trout rivers in the US, provides the fly fisherman some the best fly fishing in
memory. Below Great Falls the Missouri is growing in
popularity as a trophy walleye fishery. Holter Lake is
world-renowned for its fishing and boating. The variety of fish available draws avid anglers from around
the world. From rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat
and brook trout, walleye, pike and bass, fishing from
the bank or wading into the stream, fishing the
Montana rivers is legendary. Montana’s fly fishing is
the subject many magazine articles, books, and the
movie “A River Runs Through It.”
Fishing expeditions are available along the
Missouri River, Dearborn, Sun and Smith, Blackfoot
Rivers, as well as excursions into the Bob Marshall
Wilderness. The “Blue Ribbon Section” of the
Missouri is a prized section of river among anglers
and has half or whole day fishing trips available.
37
Fort Benton
Birthplace of Montana
The community of Fort Benton, Montana about 40 miles north of Great Falls,
was the economic center for most of Montana for several decades since it was the
“stopping” point for river boats bringing supplies from the east.
The original Fort at the site was built in 1846 for fur traders, but in 1860 the first
steam boat arrived and in 1862, with the discovery of gold in the area, Fort Benton
became the world’s most land-locked port. Buildings sprang up for more than a
mile along the levee and the lure of gold brought hundreds of people to the area.
The town was so far removed from the rest of the country that there was little justice in the form of peace
keeping officials and if any early community exemplified the wild west that the entertainment industry has come
to portray, Fort Benton was certainly the place. Front Street became known as the bloodiest block in the west.
Prosperity and law and order came to the community in the 1880s, which became known as the golden years.
The town remained dependent on the riverboats from St. Louis, and points east, until the arrival of the railroad
around the turn of the century.
In 1965, Fort Benton was granted national recognition as a Historical Landmark. It has been called the
“Birthplace of Montana” because of it being the focal point of the fur trading and gold mining industries. The
community is rich in historical and scenic adventures:
The Historical Levee
(Fort Benton National
Historic Landmark)
In the late 1860s major gold
strikes were occurring in
Montana and Fort Benton
became a focal point for the
entire region because of its
steamboat access. The park
features a larger than life
statue of Lewis & Clark
with Sacajawea, their
Indian guide, an original
keel boat used to transport
supplies from St. Louis to
Old Shep Memorial and Grand Union Hotel
the
area, a bronze statue of
Old Fort Benton
Photo by Ben Chovanak
Old
Shep and the original
Logs were brought downbridge
which
was
the
first
in
Montana to span the
stream in May of 1847 from Fort Lewis and erected
Missouri
River.
The
original
bridge
is now a pedeshere. The fort was called Clay, Lewis or Louis before
trian bridge.
it was named for Senator Thomas Hart Benton from
Missouri, a friend of the company's. Its founder
Old Shep Memorial
Alexander Culbertson named it Fort Benton on
The story of Old Shep is a legacy to the love of an
Christmas 1850 upon completion of the Bourgeois
animal for his master. The body of Shep’s master
Quarters, the fort's first adobe building. The oldest
was shipped back east for burial and Shep stayed at
standing structure in the State of Montana is the
the train depot on the northern edge of town for
blockhouse of the original fort in downtown Fort
over five years awaiting his return. In 1942 Shep was
Benton.
Grand Union Hotel
This historic landmark, featuring its unique architecture
and famous ballroom, has
been refurbished to its original style dating back to the
late 1800s. The Grand Union,
in its prime, boasted the
finest accommodations
between Minneapolis and
Seattle and was the heart of
the area social life, hosting
the rich, the famous and the
elite.
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Left: George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage
Center: Old Fort Benton. Right: Chouteau County
Courthouse. Photos by Ben Chovanak
struck by a train and killed. He was buried on the
hill above the depot and his grave and monument,
maintained by the local citizens, can be seen from the
old depot. A bronze statue of Shep is on the levee
downtown.
around it, or enjoy the exhibit hall at your own pace.
Open Memorial Day - September 30, daily 8 a.m.- 5
p.m. For more information call 406-622-4000
National Wild and Scenic Missouri River
In 1976, the upper Missouri River from Fort Benton to
the Fred Robinson Bridge, was designated as the
“National Wild and Scenic Missouri River.” It is the
only major portion of the Missouri River, a 149-mile
flow, to be protected in its natural free-flowing state. It
is preserved in the same beauty as it was first seen by
the Expedition led by Lewis & Clark. Along the way
are many boat launching and camping facilities as well
as guides and outfitters from Chouteau County. For
information call 406-622-5185.
Museum of the Northern Great Plains
This museum is dedicated to the development of the
agricultural industry in North Central Montana and
explores the culture and traditions of the early settlers along with their struggles to create a farming
and ranching community in the area. Also featured is
a set of six bison, collected from the Sand Coulee,
Montana area and mounted by taxidermist William
Hornaday, on long term loan from the Smithsonian
Institution.
Events of Note
June 26-28, 2009 – 33rd Annual Summer Celebration
Includes Art on the Levee, Fun Run/Walk, Canoe &
Kayak Festival, Parade, Night Show & Street Dance,
and Free Entertainment.
Museum of the Upper Missouri
The Upper Missouri River became significant in the
settling of the old west in that it was used as the
main supply route from the east. Supplies arriving
from down-river were moved from the historic fort
by wagon train to supply the greater Northwest
Territory. The colorful history of the community
comes alive in this museum that features displays on
cavalry guns of historic significance, a civil war cannon, the indians, wagon trains, early river boats and
much more that details the area’s past.
July 8 – Farmer’s Market every Thursday through
September
August 14-16, – 96th Annual Chouteau County Fair
Friday, 7 p.m. Pig Wrestling in the Grandstands Arena.
Saturday, 7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Action. Sunday, 2 p.m.
4-H Livestock Sale; 6 p.m. Chouteau County Fair
Demolition Derby.
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Interpretive Center
The Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center highlights
the spectacular Upper Missouri River Breaks
National Monument. The center is situated on the
banks of the river, and an interpretive trail meanders
along the river’s edge where you can get a better
view of waterfowl and the majestic bluffs across the
river. A short film offers glimpses of the Monument’s
breathtaking scenery and the history that has unfolded
October 2 - 3 – Cowboy Poetry
December 4 - Annual Bridgeport Station Christmas
Arts & Crafts Show and Parade of Lights
For an overview of Fort Benton please take some time
to view the community's home page at: www.fortbenton.com.
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