Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 75 over Spring Creek and offers a cut-out hole in the floor so visitors can watch the water flow by. If you look at Lewistown's history, it might seem like it was destined to boom, bust, and fade away. But, unlike so many of the tiny Montana towns Richard Hugo immortalized in his poetry, Lewistown refused to die. We should all be grateful. THE HISTORY OF LEWISTOWN Lewistown began as the territory of the Blackfeet—buffalo chasers who roamed the plains. According to the 1855 Stevens' Blackfeet Treaty, which was negotiated where the mouth of the Judith River opens and stretches, the Blackfeet had claim to all of Central Montana. Despite that treaty, however, they weren't the only occupants of the land. roughout the decades, it was home to Crow, riding in from the south, Nez Perce, coming from the West, and Sioux, en- tering from the East. Spring Creek provided the tribes with water and fish while the roaming herds of buffalo offered food, shelter, and warmth. Almost 20 years after the 1855 Treaty, the government made an agreement with the Crow. It designated the Judith Basin as their new home. Although the 1873 agreement was never executed, it brought Lewistown into the spotlight. In 1874, Company "F" of the 7th U.S. Infantry picked the spot to establish Fort Lewis. e fort offered protection for wagon trains negotiating the Carroll Trail, then the most direct route between Helena and Carroll, Montana. In the years following, gold was discovered in the nearby Judith Mountains, and Lewistown became the site of an all-out gold rush. As the gold rush boomed and died, the men and women who had traveled to Lewistown to try their luck settled in the area and found employment as blacksmiths, teachers, and bartenders. In addition to being a gold town, Lewistown was also a rail- road hub. Home to the eastern terminus of the Montana Railroad, Lewistown played an essential role in the Montana Railroad Line. e area is still home to trestles, tunnels, and rails, some of which are abandoned, and some of which still run trains daily. A DAY OUT IN LEWISTOWN For a town of about six thousand people, Lewistown has a wide assortment of things to see and do. Here are a few attractions to check out if you happen to visit this spring: RIDE THE CHARLIE RUSSELL CHEW CHOO If you're in for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, do not miss a chance to climb aboard the Charlie Russell Chew Choo. In case the name didn't tip you off, this is a dinner-centric train tour (owned and operated by the Lewistown Chamber of Com- merce) which takes passengers on a 56-mile (or 3.5-hour) train ride along the historic route of the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific railroad in Central Montana. e scenery includes arid ranchlands, rolling hills, a half-mile tunnel, and, if you're lucky, one of Montana's famous sunsets. Pas- sengers also report seeing wildlife like hawks, eagles, antelope, deer, and coyotes. CHRIS COOLER (3) LYNN DONALDSON (2) A popular swimming hole during hot summer days in Lewistown. The Kiwanas Pancake Breakfast during Chokecherry Festival happens every Saturday in front of Montana Tavern. CONTINUED

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