Our Community
Charlo Montana
Charlo was originally a trail crossing for freighters hauling grain and other
goods from the rich Ronan Valley to the railroad at Dixon. The place was first
called Big Flat, then Charlotte, and later Charlo, in honor of Chief Charlo of
the Flatheads, one of the few chiefs who refused to sign Special Commissioner
James A. Garfield's order (August 27, 1872) removing all Indians of the region
to the Jocko reservation. Joseph Dixon, a governor and US Senator, was
instrumental in establishing the name Charlo. (from Cheney's Names on the
Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)
The
Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is located in Charlo. It was established
to discover and memorialize the history and culture of the Flathead Indian
Reservation and early Montana. Long-term exhibits include weaponry, spurs and
saddlery, a vast collection of Native American beadwork, life-size dioramas of
wild animals and of an Indian camp. An old cabin, and wagons and buggies dot the
museum grounds.
The
National Bison Range is located just seven miles southwest of Charlo on
Highway 212. It was established in 1908 and is one of the oldest wildlife
refuges in the nation. The range protects one of the most important remaining
herds of American bison. About 300 to 500 of these great shaggy animals roam
nearly 19,000 acres of grassland and timber. The range is also home to whitetail
and mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and at least 200 species of
birds. A visitor’s center, auto tour, and picnic area are available.
Polson Montana
Incorporated April 5, 1910, Polson has a history of lumbering, ranching and
steamboats. The city was named after pioneer rancher David Polson. Steamboats
played a major part in early transportation of freight and passengers. The
tugboat "Paul Bunyan" was instrumental in early logging operations.
Polson is located on the
Flathead Indian Reservation in a natural amphitheater at the south end of
Flathead Lake. This charming lakeside community is the trading center for
one of Montana's most fertile farming areas. In a prime cherry growing region
and home to numerous cherry orchards, Polson celebrates with an annual
Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival.
The broad, sweeping Mission Valley south of Polson is bordered by the rugged,
snow-capped Mission Mountains. The
Flathead River that flows from Polson features whitewater rafting and
Kerr Dam. The
National Bison Range at Moiese with its large herds of bison, elk, deer,
antelope and bairn sheep is nearby, as well as the
Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuges for bird watchers.
Two museums, The
Miracle of America and
Polson-Flathead Historical Museum, offer many displays and memorabilia.
Polson also has several city parks located on the lake and is home to the
Polson Bay Golf Course, a magnificent golf course which is nestled near the
Mission Mountains and at the base of Flathead Lake.
Ronan Montana
Originally settled by Salish residents in 1883, this town was called Spring
Creek for the local warm springs that flow into the nearby Flathead River.
Residents changed the name to Ronan Springs in 1893 as a tribute to Maj. Peter
Ronan, who served as the Flathead Indian Reservation agent from 1877 until his
death in 1893. Ronan experienced a sudden boom when the federal government
opened the
Flathead Indian Reservation to non-Indian homesteading in 1910. (Copyright
2009, Montana Historical Society: Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman,
Montana Historical Society Research Center Staff)
Adorned with the beauty of the Mission Mountain and various sources of
fishing and wildlife habitat, the community of more than 3,000 residents offers
a wealth of resources and enjoyment.
Ronan's Area Chamber of Commerce is a community project serving summer
visitors to the Mission Valley. Hiking in the
Mission Mountain Wilderness Area by permit, touring the
National Bison Range, picnicking in the city park, enjoying the
Garden of the Rockies Museum and sightseeing along the
Flathead River are among the many attractions. Just west of Ronan, The
Mission Mountain Golf Course is acclaimed as one of Montana's finest golf
courses featuring lush fairways and beautiful green with a fantastic view of the
Mission Mountains. This course is suited for any caliber of golfer and is open
to the public.
Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is an exceptional wetland
complex that contains over 800 glacial potholes and a 1,770-acre reservoir.
About 200 bird species have been recorded. Nesting great blue herons and
double-crested cormorants can be observed from the road on the west side of the
refuge.
E-mail Koehn Electric
Ronan Montana 59864
406-261-5767 |