montana city state montana county seat located near rivers western montana convergence mountain ranges described hub valleys estimated city population population 1990s overtook montana second largest city home public research university founded settlement moved east miles upstream renamed later shortened mills provided supplies western settlers traveling road establishment protect settlers stabilized economy arrival brought rapid growth maturation local lumber industry chose city site state university headquarters founded lumber university remained staples local economy years 1990s lumber industry gradually disappeared city largest employers hospitals city governed mayor council government city council members acres miles trails nearly acres open space conservation land adjacent home grazing deer winter city home montana largest oldest active strongest college football programs ncaa notable residents include woman congress longest serving senate majority leader history archaeological artifacts date earliest inhabitants end ice age years ago settlements early bce european settlements began years later primarily land located confluence mountain valleys heavily traversed local distant native tribes periodically went eastern montana plains search leading conflict narrow valley eastern entrance human bones repeated french fur later refer area translated gate hell hell gate remain area renamed lewis brought citizens area twice stopped south traveler rest camped time westbound trip september stayed return june july clark left heading south lewis traveled north east established miles west present day downtown trading post serve travelers recently completed road wagon road cross rocky_mountains inland pacific_northwest desire convenient water supply power lumber flour mill led movement settlement modern location mills replaced hell economic power valley replaced county seat came roughly translates place frozen water established help protect arriving settlers growth accelerated arrival town chartered year chosen location state university need lumber railway bridges spurred opening multiple saw mills area turn beginning lumber industry remained area economy years continued economic railroad construction lumber mills led boom population copper kings marcus competed fiercely region lumber share investments work began home headquarters site nationally regions region headquartered logging remained industry groundbreaking pulp mill resulted protests resultant air pollution article life magazine thirteen years later speaks needing drive day navigate county labor income came wood paper products sector lumber industry hit hard recession early 1980s economy began early 1990s disappearance region log yards legislation helped clean skies dramatically education healthcare leading industries city hospitals largest employers founded region level trauma center undergone major expansions 1980s likewise grew built renovated buildings expected industries expansions business professional services retail main engines future growth geography located western edge montana approximately miles idaho border city elevation feet sea level nearby rising feet feet respectively according figures city total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water approximately years ago entire valley expected lake layout relatively flat surrounded steep hills evidence city lake past seen form ancient horizontal wave cut nearby location present day lake depth feet enters east joining nearby river site dam multiple smaller tributaries join clark fork western edge city sits convergence mountain ranges range described hub valleys flora fauna located typical rocky mountain ecology local wildlife includes populations white tailed deer black bears bald eagles winter rapid steep slope leaves grass available grazing deer rivers provide nesting habitats bank northern rough winged spotted seen foraging insects gravel bars species include song species rivers provide cold clean water native fish trout bull trout streams attract beaver wood ducks parks host variety snakes snakes rubber native plant life includes montana state tree pine prevalent native plants include wetland species shrubs plants like douglas western local farmers home multiple programs set eliminate notable ones include spotted norway line older streets declared invasive species climate semi arid climate climate classification cold moderately snowy winters hot dry summers short crisp springs winters usually rest state location west allowing influenced mild moist pacific air avoiding worst cold means precipitation strong minimum winter winter snowfall averages inches average occurring october april rest state summers sunny average temperature variation late june late september relative monthly daily average temperature ranges december july average days temperatures days temperature rise freezing days temperatures demographics median income household city median income family males median income versus females capita income city families population poverty line including age age residents age older bachelor advanced college degree census census people households families residing city population density inhabitants square mile km2 housing units average density square mile km2 racial makeup city white african american native american asian pacific races races hispanic latino race population households children age living married couples living female husband present male wife present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size median age city years residents age ages years age older gender makeup city male female economy began trading post 1860s situated military road advantage route plains designation county seat location hastily built ensured status regional commercial center status consolidated arrival railroad expanded trade area cover mile radius location railway division point repair shops provided hundreds jobs railway began expanding increased freight shipments came city arrival milwaukee road regional office opening indian reservation settlement couple years beginning economy began rapidly expand lumber mills originally built provide construction grade materials homes business expanded meet demands railroad increase demand railroad expansion nation large mill owned largest producer lumber northwest location major lumber producer regional commercial center helped land city regional office newly establish created help manage nation timber supply century lumber industries consolidated entities 1970s 1980s control creek timber demand timber dropped downward spiral lumber industry began closure plant closure closing stone container pulp mill opening major impact development economy addition economic advantage student body gave city educated workforce available state university close relationship city largest employer millions dollars school brings city visitors school sponsored sporting cultural events university houses business start businesses timber education economic regional trade center immediate trade area approximately residents hub economic area includes lake lincoln mineral listed economic area population key businesses sectors serving area include health care retail shopping transportation financial services government social services education events arts culture health care particular fastest growing industries western montana center city second largest employers university employment service retail sectors export industries concentrated heavy civil engineering construction production technical services truck transportation wood related industries addition nearly million state visitors annually makes tourism significant aspect economy home vibrant sector alternative healthcare ranked nationally gross metropolitan product output billion city total personal income ranked billion increase capita personal income ranked year national average metropolitan area unemployment rate june dropping nearly months prior culture considered cultural center montana location state university eclectic mix college students sports fans community events generally place downtown outdoors downtown buildings listed event august music beer food art generally attracts crowds longest standing event downtown founded provides outlet western montana produce saturday october tuesday evenings july early september arts crafts clark fork market run concurrently downtown hosts friday gallery walk friday month feature local art museums galleries celebrates night new year eve includes food live entertainment festival book celebrate literature american west montana book festival historic theatres hold annual film festivals hosting established wildlife film festival world largest film event montana performance arts held performances musical non musical plays affiliated theatre acting international touring program visits nearly communities year world state museum montana oldest cultural reserves having begun permanent collection original works housed library features contemporary art annually features group solo exhibits home dedicated preserving history constructing opened oldest active brewery montana big sky opened production barrels far montana largest brewery produces best selling beer montana brown home draught works opened big sky represent second largest respectively state montana nearby opened pub houses downtown locations city holds annual garden city periodically hosts celebration outdoors seen notable non profits based city hunting organizations attempt reduce harmful emissions non profit motion promotes environmentally sustainable transportation options walking public transportation non profits headquartered illustrate city liberal reputation montana promoter marijuana law reform state headquarters forward montana left leaning officially group seeks engage young people politics founded charitable organization helps access civil legal aid supports community peace center focuses social justice environmental largest emergency homeless shelter soup kitchen montana located sports plays host variety youth amateur sports organizations addition minor league baseball team football basketball teams highest attendance football team successful program ncaa level home games washington stadium near winning percentage average spectators attendance games televised montana men basketball teams successful conference level rank near attendance respectively play home games arena home rookie affiliate plays based play home games park allegiance field competing roller derby team competes adam center held festival style rugby tournament hosted weekend non elimination tournament focuses fun aspect game attracting teams male female united_states canada regular season play compete alongside local rugby team parks recreation city acres miles trails nearly acres open space located confluence rivers area popular white water thanks largely novel subsequent film river runs native known fly fishing additionally aquatic parks multiple golf courses home hosts runner world called best overall marathon ski areas miles discovery ski area lost trail powder mountain slightly farther away pass system public parks developed donation lumber baron wife gave acre tract land condition land forever park park purposes people find comfortable romantic poetic retreat follow years later letter stressed interest having park remain close native state possible request discovery non native norway growth native trees shrubs led controversial decision remove norway park hope returning natural state created estate near university park today multiple athletic fields courts addition band shell band summer club set park downtown making string parks line sides parks southern bank river created funds surplus highway land parcel land donated kate estate acre park named washington wife home park center free bike check children fishing pond popular parks include island bark park designated area dogs play veterans memorial rose garden living laboratory garden utilizing water conservation techniques park park located south historic theatre downtown located land reclaimed widened lanes divided create island north channel bank extending nearby buildings south channel deepened increased water flow land later park events park common early 1980s permanent fixtures like lunch began took management park improvements park event friendly seating event circles brick storage structures added large temporary tents events permanent pavilion constructed park hub city festivities including include lunch night offered intimate concert settings artists jewel located park wooden hand carved volunteer built children recreational area adjacent government politics system government changed times form government approved town charter city adopted commission council form government opening new city hall council manager government returning form government january governed accordance city charter calls mayor council system government current system comprises mayor city treasurer elected vote city council members reside elected ward having council members positions nominally council members mayor elected year terms council member elections allow member ward election term limits position state legislative delegation second largest represented districts districts having thirteen democrats republicans state legislative delegation known liberal area rest state political unique college town initiative marijuana possession lowest priority law enforcement symbolic resolutions calling congress withdraw iraq amend constitution declare corporations human beings odds rest state montana legislature republican house majority attempted marijuana law ability anti discrimination ordinance included lgbt community marijuana repeal vetoed governor attempt repeal died senate education school opened late sixteen students region teacher come month trip horseback railroad boat baltimore invitation brother resigned years later marrying couple married replaced later married mayor public high school opened converted grade school opened expansions stanford_university commissioned create master building plan manage future growth suggested purchasing land building additional campus garden city airport field gradually replaced southwest town new school opened initially campuses separated upper lower upper new school campuses separate high schools private sacred heart catholic high school created merger girls sacred heart academy est boys est public high school established public schools districts public elementary schools 5th grade public middle schools 6th 8th grades public high schools 9th 12th grades public schools serving 8th grade private schools including international school religious affiliated schools step prep theater academy high school operated theatre dominates higher education university established montana state second largest enrollment students campus houses colleges schools including montana law school university location state houses state established known offers fast track learning programs multiple programs affiliated university ranging photography truck driving presence media broadcast single broadcast air television media market largest montana ranked nationally second population montana single broadcast air television media market includes granite mineral lake counties densely populated western region montana serves television homes home local affiliate channels founded channel nbc founded channel abc fox founded channel based montana pbs founded channel seventeen radio stations radio stations licensed city print main sources print media primary daily alternative weekly college digital progressive founded weekly publication remains popular newspaper circulation making read daily newspaper montana gazette founded largest weekly newspaper montana states member readers twice circulation second place newspaper distributed free locations hamilton south north founded likewise distributed free parts heavy student traffic newspaper printed monday friday school year founded left leaning generation media company focused culture environment economy politics infrastructure health care primary health care facilities founded sponsorship sisters providence level trauma center region largest medical facility undergone major expansions 1980s hospital acute care beds admitted patients changed patrick hospital patrick hospital health sciences center reflect increasing involvement national medical research education adjacent medical facilities located near modern complex includes nursing home private offices founded doctors current location facility providing newborn care hospital separate center partnered nearest level trauma center seattle washington utilities earliest drew water directly nearby water system consisted native american known eyed riley friend filling water hauling door door cart city founder began construction log pipe wooden main system flowed creek miles north city addition small covered municipal water system begun intake dam built settling basin capacity million gallons creek continued meet demands city wells added respond increased summer fall demand system maintained emergency backup discontinued primary source outbreak relied valley sole source water electrical plant built power major downtown properties owned purchased water system consolidated vast electrical holdings create year later electricity water remained bundled sale sold water utility holdings california subsidiary legally granted right acquire water system exercising power eminent domain june decision appeal following montana electricity market began energy business sold substantially electrical generating assets december energy transmission distribution business february despite filing bankruptcy subsidiary primary provider electric natural gas service addition local telephone service area provided major cell phone providers include sprint mobile trash collection handled handles recycling program customers purchase special blue bags designate recycling offered offers offers drop recycling sewer service handled city layout development began plotting town military road ran parallel downtown route road street avenue bridge clark fork added intersection streets default center city remains numerical center city street addresses arrival led housing boom tracks particularly northern railway workers reside replaced debated bridge continue southwest earlier south attorneys laid plots land years earlier hoped new town streets perpendicular judge owned land south river preferred north south plan want result block area west avenue commonly referred centered avenue avenue traverse city rest city exception downtown streets follow angle river newer expansions hills strictly follow grid plan establishment announcement defunct milwaukee road located south river houses began spread quickly university south districts area near university promoted high end luxurious homes appeared hammond avenue nicknamed row known today arrival interstate mid-1960s forced removal homes including north isolated interstate tracks moved golf course converted restaurant prevailed north feeling neglected city neighborhood release latest master plan increased emphasis directed north rail yard area south tracks city divided neighborhood councils residents member city contains historical districts campus trail system extensive trail system recreation extends miles city actively trying connect sections city recreational trails extending city heart commuter bike network trails link downtown surrounding neighborhoods university city parks outlying open space smooth surfaces bicycle pedestrian bridges southern milwaukee trail follows path milwaukee railroad continues east town nature trail connects trails west downtown completed provide trail downtown mall near branch trail connected south avenue trail west reserve street connects nearby athletic fields neighborhood system trails approaching meeting larger network transportation rural location highway access especially important interstate runs east west northern edge base small portion city located south highway completed expense homes garden city brewery city exits makes connections route montana highway original approved extend west montana include highway rerouted state route october extended west road crosses southwest northeast serves major economic corridor western montana connecting communities south lake national park north montana longest state highway united_states enters east provides access direct route public transportation began early horse drawn system electrified operated connected replaced buses cost bus service today provided public transit agency created public vote began operation december operates bus routes square mile km2 area serving target range airport additionally line offered services assist disabled senior van park ride lots special bus service offered city park ride lots addition late night shuttle offers service january year pilot program zero fare transportation began goal increasing use percent direct ground travel needs provided bus carriers rail travel available began service amtrak discontinued route southern montana built station terminus avenue national_register_of_historic_places feasibility study commissioned congress examine merits reopening nearest rail station station amtrak miles north air air travel began served international airport public airport run largest airport western montana serving passengers current building contains jet bridges ground level boarding gates direct flights year round denver las_vegas minneapolis phoenix portland salt_lake_city seattle atlanta chicago los_angeles oakland san_francisco operate addition cargo carriers airport home fixed base operators fuel provider phillips fuel provider notable people produced home number notable individuals varying fields natives residents referred politics woman congress born raised senators longest serving senate majority leader montana longest serving senator established careers joined politics living city noted athletes born resided include olympic quarterback coach actor filmmaker award winning biologist born connor attended composer musician musician reside academically home nobel prize winners 20th century montana historian noted names literature include native american poet crime novelist head creative writing program river runs chronicles life early 20th century sister cities sister cities designated germany north relationship north new_zealand began resident later professor returned obtaining phd relationship official meeting president officials celebrates honor relationship rugby food entertainment second relationship began delegation led mayor visited following sponsored faculty exchange september holds annual celebrate german culture relationship portrayal media author grew wrote autobiographical work adapted motion picture directed starring rape college town title book looked investigation pattern indifference alleged victims law enforcement sexual assault cases involving football players interviewed npr book stated don mean single rape rate little national average think problems dealing rape pretty typical lengthy study title essay driving home american journey despite writing arrival powerful impression driven deep rocky_mountains arrived overall effect city oddly unsettling streets open comfort town closed inducing mild time notes literary heritage city reputation town evidenced place odds ends naturally collected portrayed episode cbs episode aired november portrayed movie released starring cuba
Missoula, Montana