Missoula, Early Montana Train Hub

Did you know…that the Milwaukee and Northern Pacific Train Depots and lines near Missoula were used for such diverse activities as those photographed below? This exhibit contains photos of the railroad in and around Missoula in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The map and photos in this first section show Missoula and the switching yard as the railroad hub of the valley.

Photo at right: Missoula Railway Center, from 'Missoula Illustrated'. Railroad map of the Missoula, Montana area. Map notes areas of timber, mineral and coal. The map was compiled by Geo. F. Brooks, Civil Engineer, Missoula

Photo at right: View of Missoula, Montana, circa 1895. In the foreground is the Northern Pacific Railroad Roundhouse, and in the center background is the University of Montana, then located in Willard School. Steam can be seen rising from some train engines by the roundhouse.

Photo at right: Coal docks (coaling tower) and railroad round house, circa 1904. Missoula, Montana. A train can be seen moving along the tracks. Train cars sit on a siding.

Using the Rails on Foot

Did you know…that the Montana History Portal digital exhibit on the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps describes how “the United States Army ran a series of lengthy excursions utilizing the world's latest technological darling - the bicycle. Operating out of Fort Missoula, the men of the 25th Infantry Regiment covered several thousand miles of mud, mountains, and open plains.” The photo below shows the men using the railroad tracks to get a break from the rugged terrain they usually had to ride.

Photo at right: Bicycle Corps walking bicycles along a railroad track

Missoula and the 1965 World's Fair

Did you know…that a train car left the Northern Pacific Depot in 1965, going all the way to the World’s Fair in New York with murals and pictures of Montana on its side to promote the state? The photo below shows the train in Missoula, with the murals on the side and snow on Mount Jumbo.

Photo at right: Montana Centennial exhibit cars for the New York World's Fair, being switched to depot spur, in Missoula, Montana, February 22, 1964. Murals can be seen on the sides of the railroad cars.

Photo at right: Montana Centennial Exhibit cars are ready for public inspection, Missoula, Montana, February 22, 1964. A crowd views the murals on the sides of the railroad cars.

Trains and Breweries

Did you know…that the Missoula Brewing Company (known as the Highlander Brewery today) was the first brewery in Missoula? It used train cars to load up and transport its beverages across the city and other parts of the state.

Photo at right: Missoula Brewing Company, circa 1955, exterior of the brewery showing loading ramp and train car.

Repurposed Train Depot

Did you know…that the current Boone and Crockett Club Building next to the Clark Fork River was once a bustling train depot? The photos below depict different eras of the Milwaukee Train station that you can discern from the styles of other transportation in the photos.

Photo at right: Chicago-Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad passenger depot, Missoula, Montana. A trains sits on the tracks in front of the depot. Cars and people can be seen between the depot and the train. A water tower is behind the train.

Photo at right: Milwaukee Depot, Missoula, Montana, 1944. A train is coming into the station.

Photo at right: Milwaukee train 15, last scheduled trip, loading at the Milwaukee Depot in Missoula, Montana, May 23, 1961. The photo was taken from the east of the depot and a slightly elevated vantage point. The Milwaukee 15 is shown passing between the depot and two or three train cars on a track to the right. Several cars are visible in the parking lot and a few people stand on the sidewalk. The Clark Fork River is visible on the right.

Northern Pacific Train Depot

Did you know that the location of the current Farmer’s Market is in the location of the cars in the postcard photo below? What is now an office building was the Northern Pacific Train Depot on the north side of town.

Photo at right: Northern Pacific Depot and fish pond in front of the depot, Missoula, Montana. A man can be seen walking across a brick street.

Photo at right: Colorized 1947 postcard of The Northern Pacific Depot in Missoula, Montana. The building was constructed in 1901 and was in operation as a passenger train depot until 1979.

Photo at right: Group of people welcoming the arrival of a train at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in Missoula, Montana. Sailors in uniform can be seen exiting the train.

Photo at right: A large crowd gathers around the Amtrak TurboTrain, Burlington Northern station, Missoula, Montana, August 30, 1971.

Train Disasters

Did you know… that there were some awful train wrecks in Montana? Two crashes outside of Missoula in 1962 and 1969 were captured in the photos below.

Photo at right: Scenes of wreck, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad Company, train 263, EX, E74w, Lozeau, Montana - between Alberton and Superior. View from alongside the track. Several workers are visible on the track. June 7, 1969.

Photo at right: Scenes of wreck, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad Company, train 263, EX, E74w, Lozeau, Montana - between Alberton and Superior. View from alongside the track. Several workers are visible on the track. June 7, 1969.

Photo at right: Northern Pacific 'North Coast Limited' train wreck in Evaro, Montana. A crane is on the tracks near one of the derailed cars. Cars and spectators line the highway beside the tracks. June 12, 1962.

Railroad Bridges and Swimming

Did you know…that kids started swimming in the Clark Fork River and jumping off bridges around Missoula a hundred years ago?

Photo at right: Original caption reads "A favorite swimming hole near the Milwaukee Roads covered railroad bridge over the Clark Fork River above the Milltown Dam."

Presidential Train Tour

Did you know…that Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, made a campaign stop by railroad in Missoula in 1952?

Photo at right: Dwight Eisenhower campaigning in Missoula, Montana, from the back of a train car, circa 1952. A sign on the car reads 'Eisenhower Special - Look Ahead, Neighbor!'

Created by: Stacey Hargesheimer

Photo Credits:

Billings Public Library

University of Montana Mansfield Library