DescriptionCreated in 1860 as part of Washington Territory, Missoula County in 1863 became part of Idaho Territory for one year. Montana’s territorial legislature approved Missoula County as one of the original counties in 1864. Missoula County shares its name with the city of Missoula, which is also the county seat. Although the origins of the name Missoula are disputed, most sources say the name goes back to at least 1812, when explorer David Thompson sketched an extraordinary map of the valley and named it Ne-missoola-takoo. Later shortened to Missoula, it incorporates the Salish word for “chilly waters.” Other explanations range from “Horrible” (Issoul) to “By or near the place of fear or ambush” (Im-i-sul-e-etikee), and “River of awe.” During the 1970s and 1980s, some environmentalists even claimed the Salish word meant “bad air.”Personal NamesThompson, DavidOther Name(s)Ne-missoola-takooContributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1] CountyMissoula County
