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w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
Salish-Kootenai College, Two Eagle River School, and the Three
Chiefs Cultural Center, formerly known as the People's Center.
Fifteen miles south of Ronan is St. Ignatius, the only official
"town" in Lake County, and the oldest settlement in the area. In
1854, Jesuit missionary Pierre-Jean DeSmet established the St.
Ignatius mission to the Native population of the area. The town
grew around the mission, and in 1891-93 the current church
building was erected. Located just a short distance off US High-
way 93, the church is worth a visit by anyone interested in reli-
gious art. Fifty-eight murals adorn the interior of the building,
completely covering the ceiling. There are also two life-size por-
traits of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Christ, both in
full tribal regalia. The building was added to the National Reg-
ister of Historic Places in 1973. The Mission is the namesake for
the Mission Mountains, the Mission Valley, and the local nick-
name of the town itself, "Mission."
In addition to Pablo, there are twenty other "census-designated
places" (CDPs) scattered around the County. Without going into
the technical aspects of a CDP, let's just say that you and I would
probably call these "towns," even though they are not legally
incorporated. Pablo, with a 2010 population of 2,138, is by far the
largest of these communities, with three times the population of
the next largest, Arlee, with 725 residents. Most of the "towns"
you drive through on US 93 or Montana 35 are actually CDPs.
While you drive through Lake County, watch for blue and brown
signs with white lettering. These signs mark geographic fea-
A donation that
lives on.
Partner with
to serve the
pre-born
and build up
families in
the valley.
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