Distinctly Montana Magazine

46 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 strain of winter wheat developed at Montana State University and known to need less moisture than most wheat was named for Willow Creek. It soon became evident that the earlier ditches did not provide enough water without water storage. Often the Willow Creek stream would be- come completely dry during the summer. An irrigation district was cre- ated in 1915. The dam was started in 1935 and the spillway, which was finished last, was completed in 1936. This reservoir continues to provide the area with irrigation water. The school has always been a focal point in the community. Right away in 1865, the family of James Green hired a teacher for their children. Oth- er children attended too. Then a log schoolhouse was built. The students were not in grades; instead, the children read from the different McGuffey readers according to their comfort in reading. As the population in the area grew, a two-story frame schoolhouse was built in 1914. By 1916, a student could graduate, having been educated with a four- year high school curriculum. The brick building presently being used was built during the 1918- 1919 school year. At one time the children from the Jefferson Canyon area, Hubbard, Danmore, and Sappington rode the Northern Pacific stub to school in Willow Creek. Only seventy-some stu- dents are enrolled in the pre-K-12 grades today, but the continued operation of the school is strong- ly supported by the community. Every community wants utilities, and Willow Creek was no different. A sewer district with a 40- acre lagoon was built just outside of town. Every residence has a well with ample water for personal use. Beginning in 1918, Willow Creek had electric lights for the town's businesses, houses, and street lights. The electricity was furnished by a generator that was run by a diesel engine at Mack and Black's garage. Two years later the generator was sold to the Electric Power Company, which took over providing electricity to the community. One of the residents, Lawrence Rasmussen, left money in his estate for the "good of Willow Creek." The townspeople decided that they could use sidewalks, so in 1954, sidewalks on four blocks were added. The town remains unincorporated. Community residents step up to volunteer for needed services. The rural fire district was created in 1954, and the fire hall was built the next year and expanded in 1982. Civic-minded folks train and volunteer at the fire depart- ment, where they are often called to accidents on the interstate highway or to fires. Others serve on the school board or with the irrigation district. Today the town has one church, one combination café and saloon, a grain elevator, a post office, and the school. A fine-tool store is open for business only by appointment; most of its business is done via the inter- net. In 2021 Willow Creek had a population of 227 people. Located around 40 miles from bulging Bozeman, it is only a matter of time before people start looking at Willow Creek as a place to live. Many residents are offspring of early settlers who have often met future spouses from outside the community and brought them home to live. Willow Creek Café and Saloon with bicycle built for two in front. KRIS SKOLRUD KRIS SKOLRUD Willow Creek Methodist Church. The longest active Methodist Church in Montana. West's Blacksmith Shop in Willow Creek. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICK FINNEGA AND ROBIN SORENSEN AT THE HEADWATERS HERITAGE MUSEUM IN THREE FORKS, MONTANA.

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