w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
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MONTANA HIGHWAY PATROL
ADOPTS 3-7-77
Fast forward to 1956. Newly hired
Montana Highway Patrol superinten-
dent Alex Stephenson adopted 3-7-77
for the patrol's logo as a tribute to the
Vigilantes. "We chose the symbol to
keep alive the memory of this first
people's police force," Stephenson
said. Having been stopped for doing
83 in a 70 miles per hour zone and
not feeling compelled to ditch town
to avoid a lynching, I can attest the
symbol has lost any sinister meaning it may have had and has become a
symbol of the police's intent to serve and protect.
Numbers as symbols can take on new meaning over time. Just look
at our 406 area code. It's taken on a life of its own with Montana-proud
souvenirs and memorabilia. When I googled "what does 406 mean,"
"406 Angel Number" popped up first. New to me, I discovered 406 Angel
Number stands for reliability, determination, self-sufficiency, nurturing,
honesty, and a few more great descriptors any Montanan would be proud
of. With documentation as it is today and the ease to search anything, it's
unlikely we'll lose sight of the origin of 406 and its evolution to pres-
ent-day Montana pride anytime soon. But in 150 years, maybe Montan-
ans will trace their code to angelic beings.
As for 3-7-77—a mysterious code used by a group sworn to secrecy—it
was even enough of a deterrent to make outlaws keep riding, a dire warn-
ing of an impending date with the hangman.
If only my great-great-great grandfather's walls could talk.
Vigilante Headquarters in VIrginia City
Julie Gardner
Realtor®, JD, MPA
(406) 239-1848
jgardner@ERALambros.com
www.JulieGardnerProperties.com
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