W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M
91
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PLACE THAT'S
WORTH THE TRIP?
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WORTH THE
T
R
I
P
!
GREAT
FALLS
W
HEN LEWIS & CLARK CAME
THROUGH THIS AREA, IT
WAS OCCUPIED BY THE
BLACKFEET. AS HOMESTEADERS AR-
RIVED, THE NATIVE AMERICANS WERE
FORCED TO OCCUPY A SMALL PORTION
OF LAND. e newcomers practiced deep
plowing; at first the wet weather helped crops fluourish but after the
drought of 1918 persisted for years, the people disappeared along with the
dry topsoil. ere's plenty of history here to explore for days.
e county was named for the falls on the Missouri River. e county
seat is Great Falls, which was founded by Paris Gibson, who saw the
potential for growth in the hydroelectric possibilities of the falls. By the
arrival of the railroad in 1887, the town had a flour mill, planing mill,
lumber yard, school, bank, and a newspaper. It became the site of the
largest military base in Montana—Malmford Air Force Base; its main
function is to maintain and operate the Minuteman II missile operations,
to which the dry plains temperature is suited. Great Falls was a center for
jazz, thanks to Leo LeMar, an African American, who established the
Ozark Club, but it burned down in 1962. Not least of Great Falls' impor-
tance lies in the Charlie Russell Museum. Also of value are the Lewis &
Clark Interpretive Center, the University of Great Falls, and the MSU
College of Technology.
MILES CITY AREA
Located a mile north of Miles City is a
small remote island on the Yellowstone River
known as Pirogue Island State Park. It's iso-
lated and shaded by cottonwood trees. Take
a walk, bird watch, hunt for moss agates,
and envision the Corps of Discovery's travel
along the river.
BILLINGS
MOSS MANSION, 914 DIVISION STREET
Built in 1903 by entrepreneur Preston Boyd Moss and his wife, Ursula, for
their family, this mansion features impressive red sandstone architecture and
tranquil gardens. Take a tour to see authentic turn-of-the-century furnishings.
See mossmansion.com for events.
TODD
KLASSY
