HAMILTON
In the middle of the Bitterroot
Valley, in Ravalli County,
is the county seat of Hamilton.
Hamilton is home to over 4,000
people, and the immediate area
around the town has somewhere
over 12,000 people. Downtown
Hamilton has several historic
buildings with many unique
shops and restaurants. Looking
west on Main Street is a beautiful
view of the mountains. Come
visit our newly revitalized downtown.
New streetscape, trees,
and street lamps make way to enjoy
the unique downtown shops.
Highway 93, which goes all the
way through town, also boasts
unique shops, grocery stores,
and gas stations.
(see page 10)
1910 FIRE COMMEMORATION: THE BIG BLOW-UP!
August 21, 1912 Wallace, ID Press-Times
It was two years ago yesterday, August 20, that the great forest fire swept over this district. More
than sixty lives were lost in Wallace and the immediate vicinity, scores of men were badly burned, a large
section of the city was destroyed, and the amount of standing timber destroyed was beyond calculation. No
one who was in Wallace that fatal August evening can ever forget the awful spectacle. The wind from the
west and southwest rapidly increased in briskness indicating the approach of the fire, the first real apprehension
for their own safety took possession of the people of Wallace. It was evident that the city was in
great danger, and steps were taken at once to remove women and children to a place of safety. Five trains
were made up by the two railroad companies, and before they got started the flames were leaping over the
hill south of the city and brands and ashes were dropping everywhere. About this time fire broke out near
the Times office on Bank Street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, and although the firemen were waiting
for just such an emergency and were out in record time, they were powerless to even check it in the face of
the awful wind. So when the trains pulled out with the refugees they saw the city in flames and all of them
fully expected to find their homes in ashes when they returned.
(see page 12)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
The Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor
Center is proud to be one of
the newest and best conservation
education facilities in the Northwest.
The Elk Country Visitor
Center features hands-on conservation
and hunting heritage
exhibits for all ages. The Center
also includes a Lewis and Clark
exhibit, an impressive display of
world record elk, a western wildlife
diorama and a state of the art
conservation theater. Shoppers
will also enjoy the Elk Country gift
shop full of beautiful wildlife art
and many hand crafted and Montana-
made creations. The public
is welcome and admission is free.
Open year-round.
(see page 16)
GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS
Located 18 miles north of Helena
via Interstate 15.
A beautiful blend of history and
astonishing scenery await those
who venture down the Missouri
River through narrow Meriwether
Canyon, named “Gates of the
Mountains” by Meriwether Lewis.
The name refers to the way
the steep, 1,200 ft. limestone
cliffs seem to block passage by
boat, only to “open” as one travels
through the gorge.
The best way to experience the
gorge is by tour boat during the
summer months.
(see page 32)
THE CHARLIE RUSSELL CHEW CHOO
Located in Lewistown, MT.
The Charlie Russell Chew
Choo, Montana’s premier dinner
train, treats passengers to some
of Central Montana’s most beautiful
landscapes.
This railroad adventure travels
56 miles roundtrip, boarding 12
miles outside Lewistown, Montana,
in the shadow of the Moccasin
Mountains. Our guests glide
across the high plains of the Judith
Basin, drop down into the Judith
River Breaks country, then arrive in
the community of Denton, Montana
within sight of Square Butte, and
the Highwood Mountains.
(see page 46)
RED LODGE
Located 60 miles southwest of Billings
via Highway 212.
Red Lodge is the center of a
year-round Rocky Mountain playground.
Red Lodge is considered
to be the most beautiful entrance
to Yellowstone National Park.
It was named after the red tepees
of the Crow Indians. The
town, once the Crow summer
camp, was established in 1884
when successful mining operations
brought rapid growth. Many
of the town’s buildings are listed
on the National Historic Register.
(see page 63)
MALTA
Located at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 2 and Highway 191.
Cowboys still ride the range
in Phillips County and the place
names evoke images that Hollywood
has made famous - Ruby
Gulch, Carson Coulee, Telegraph
Creek, Cree Crossing or an old
lonesome post office. Ranches still
carry the names of their brands
and local Native American names
conjure up images of times and
cultures fascinatingly different.
The infamous Kidd Curry (member
of the notorious Wild Bunch) lived,
worked and hid out in southern
Phillips County. His old family
homestead is still here and one
of his numerous hideouts can be
visited. You can still board the
train in Malta (daily Amtrak service)
although these days it is not
recommended to hold it up.
(see page 73)
SACAGAWEA
Born to the Lemhi tribe of Shoshone Indians in present-day Idaho,
Sacagawea would grow up to be a near-legendary figure for her indispensable
role on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The daughter of a
Shoshone chief, she was kidnapped after a battle with Hidatsa Indians
that resulted in the deaths of four Shoshone warriors, as well as several
women and children. She was only about ten years old. Taken back to
the Hidatsa village located near present-day Washburn, North Dakota,
she quickly became assimilated to the Hidatsa
culture and learned to speak their language.
(see page 88) |
