Distinctly Montana Magazine

36 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 5 - 2 0 2 6 E ND TO END, HIGHWAY 200 STRETCHES 703.7 MILES AND TRACES A LINE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE CEN- TER OF MONTANA'S SOUL. It is the longest continuous U.S. highway in the state, edging out U.S. 2 and Interstate 90/94 by slight margins. Its centrist route, from Heron in the west to Fairview in the east, makes it a "blue highways" candidate - one of those small, scenic back roads that un- veils countless glimpses of the true Montana character. Except for some brief intermingling with more prominent highways through Missoula and Great Falls, the road is free to march its endless two-lane trek across the state's landscape. It more than matches the fabled north-south Highway 89, that runs from Canada to Mexico, in Montana scenery and culture. As Montana's response to the national "Good Roads" movement of the 1920s, Highway 200 gained popularity, along with Highway 89, as the border-to-border travel cor- ridor for tourists bent on exploring the state by motor vehi- cles. The aim of the Good Roads initiative was to connect isolated rural communities and promote social and eco- nomic vitality. In 1921, the Montana Highway Commission began construction of the "Central Montana Highway" us- ing Rogers Pass (elevation 5,610) as the route to cross the Continental Divide. By 1938, the transmountain link had been finished between Simms and Bonner. "High speed gravel roads" now opened the way for locals and visitors to join east to west. Highway 200 had been born. At the far western end of Highway 200, tucked down in the timbered Clark Fork River Valley, is Heron, Montana. It is the first real community you come to as you enter Montana from Idaho. Look for mile marker number 1 but don't be surprised if there is no "Welcome to Montana" sign. Some- how you just know you are there. Highway 200 towns like Thompson Falls, Lincoln, Lewistown, Winnett, Fairview, Jordan and dozens of other necklace communities strung out along its length cling to the roadway's asphalt like barnacles to a hull. They derive their commerce from all manner of Montana's economy, aligning their businesses, dwellings and shops to front the road. And it is here that you'll locate Montana's true personality. There was a time when nearly every western Montana com- munity had small-scale sawmills. Come dark, rusty teepee burners would glow orange-hot and fill the neighborhood by MICHAEL J. OBER A DAMN 'GOOD ROAD'

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