SACAJAWEA HOTEL, THREE FORKS In the early 1900s the Sacajawea Hotel sat opposite the train depot. In 1980 the train tracks were pulled up but the fine old hotel, designed by Bozeman architect Fred Willson, has remained a fine place to stay. Traces of its past can be seen in the parlor but all the rooms, includ- ing the dining room (Pompey’s Grill), have been stylishly remodeled. The modern bar is made of reclaimed century-
Designed by Fred Willson.
old trestle wood that spanned the Great Salt Lake. Now the hotel is owned by Dean and Hope Folkvord, who also own the famous Wheat Montana bread products company in Three Forks. A popular story told around the hotel concerns the time when Kathleen and Ralph Wilcox, who had met in kin- dergarten, planned to spend their wedding night at the hotel. Her father called the desk and said the couple was not married. An angry Ralph ran home to fetch their mar- riage certificate. However, the forgiving couple returned to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary at the hotel. From Three Forks you can easily venture down to the art galleries of Willow Creek or marvel at the confluence of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin rivers at the headwa- ters of the Missouri.
Sacajawea Hotel, 5 N. Main, Three Forks, (406) 285-6515. Check www.sacajaweahotel.com for a listing of regular musical events.
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DISTINCTLY MONTANA • WINTER 2011
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