Distinctly Montana Magazine

DISTINCTLY MONTANA MAGAZINE • WINTER 2022-23 58 The thermometer in the valley read -40 degrees F. Arriving in Seattle by January 1893, Hill had his transconti- nental railroad, along with an integrated system of industries along the way. "This is the era when monopoly was not just a board game," says Weston. "By 1905, there was not a railroad going through Montana that was not run by Hill." "Empire Builder" was a fitting title, even though he remained a polariz- ing figure, vacillating between ruthless businessman and some- one who provided countless opportunities. BEAUTIFUL NEW HORIZON Appreciating the outdoors throughout his life, it wasn't a stretch for Hill to recognize the value of the landscape. Weston notes the national park movement began taking shape in the early 1900s with the Northern Pacific and the Union Pacific Rail- roads building facilities in Yellowstone National Park. For years, it was customary for those with means to visit the great capitals of Europe, but Weston says, "There was this new idea to promote what we have that Europe doesn't." And it didn't take long for the Great Northern to incorporate it as their slogan. In 1907 Hill turned the company over to his son, Louis Hill, who shared his father's hands-on approach. The younger Hill immediately began negotiations with the federal government, and with the strong support of influential conservationist George Bird Grinnell, President Taft signed the legislation mak- ing Glacier the tenth national park on May 11, 1910. Belton Chalets, built in 1910-1911, were the first accommo- dations built by the Great Northern, followed by Glacier Park Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, the Prince of Wales, and eight oth- er chalets, including the Granite Park and Sperry Chalets. Both James and Louis Hill viewed these accomplishments as legacies for future generations with visitors enjoying them to this day. POLARIZING FIGURE "During his life he's both celebrated and vilified," says Weston. With boundless energy and vision, Hill created an empire that reached across America, and ultimately the Pacific Ocean, open- ing trade routes to Japan, once again for the benefit of farmers and his railroad. Although Hill stepped back to allow Louis to take the lead, he didn't officially retire until 1912 at the age of 73, yet he re- mained busy by starting several banks and frequently speaking at events. Death was the only thing that could slow him down. Hill suffered with an infection on his thigh, yet still worked in bed until it spread beyond hope. Surrounded by his beloved wife, Mary, and nine children, he passed away on May 29, 1916. To give respect to this influential individual, this was the first time flags were flown at half-mast for a private citizen in Min- nesota, and on the day of his funeral, schools, banks and other public institutions closed. At the time of his funeral, according to The New York Times, "Every wheel on the three great rail- road systems he controlled stopped turning for five minutes at 2 o'clock this afternoon." Bells and whistles signaled all along the Great Northern line while the engines were cut on every train and steamship. Fittingly, the year of his passing was also the height of the rail- road, and as automobiles soon dominated the scene, transporta- tion was never the same. Even so, James J. Hill's vision reached far beyond merely "two streaks of rust" as he changed the world forever. The Belton Chalets in Glacier National Park James J. Hill

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