80
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
Eagle began to lift its head. Also, agricultural companies started
buying up property to the north of Black Eagle for their estab-
lishments. Black Eagle flourished in the surrounding arms of the
greater Great Falls community, but its ethnic flavor remained.
Black Eagle continues to be of historical significance. Currently
905 people are proud to call the community home. The quarterly
newsletter, The Black Eagle Times, provides news of the latest
community activities. The Black Eagle Civic Club, which meets
monthly, is presently planning a cookbook of ethnic recipes as
well as a reunion this summer of those who attended Collins
School. The Black Eagle Technical Advisory Group focuses on
matters that make a difference in the community. A yearly spring
cleanup date is always observed in April. Black Eagle has its own
volunteer fire department and a park that the community main-
tains. As a writer who reflected on the history of Black Eagle in
the community-written book, In the Shadow of the Big Stack,
wrote, "If there is something truly unique about Black Eagle—
something that will not let go—it is the people, who will not let
go of Black Eagle."
The second Hawthorne
school building still
stands today. The baseball
diamond in the foreground
indicates the community's
love for the sport, both by
being fans and for playing
the game. Courtesy of the
Great Falls History Museum.
Three generations
of the Palagi
family were taught
by Fannie Collins.
Great Falls Tribune,
September 22, 1941.
If there is something truly unique
ABOUT BLACK EAGLE—SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT LET GO—IT IS THE PEOPLE.
LUCY RATH
