Each year since 2001, MPA has called attention to outstanding places in Montana’s history that are faced with serious preservation challenges. This year, Montana’s Most Endangered Places list includes four historic properties important to Montana’s heritage. Working with local preservationists, national advocacy groups, and state and federal agencies we will to try to steer a course that ultimately preserves and renews these irreplaceable places.
“MPA looks forward to working with property owners, local preservationists, national advocacy groups, and local, state and Federal agencies to try and steer a course that ultimately preserves and renews these irreplaceable historic resources,” said Kate Hampton, Most Endangered Program Director at MPA.
Story Mill Complex, Bozeman
Less than two miles from downtown Bozeman, the Story Mill Complex sits abandoned. In December 2007, the future of the mill was bright, as the Bozeman City Commission tentatively approved a massive Planned Urban Development and Preliminary Plat to redevelop the vacant Story Milling Complex into an extensive mixed-use area, including 2,500 residential units. In 2008, the developer, Blue Sky Development declared bankruptcy and the property has sat vacant since then.
Well known Bozeman area capitalist, Nelson Story Sr., began the milling complex in 1882. The mill made Story much of his vast fortune and also established Bozeman as a major grain shipping hub for the region. The mill suffered a devastating fire in 1902, but it was rebuilt soon after. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Northern Pacific District/Story Mill District.
Today the buildings of the mill complex sit unsecured. Trespass into the building is frequent, and city officials fear that a fire started in the complex may destroy everything. The long term goal for the property is still adaptive reuse; however, securing the building and preserving the structural integrity is a major priority.
Chief Cliff, Flathead Reservation
The beautiful and craggy towering rock formation known as Chief Cliff juts out on the Flathead Indian Reservation just off Highway 93 near the community of Elmo. It is central to Kootenai creation stories and today acts as an anchor for moral directives followed by tribal members. Hundreds of stories revolve around this rock formation. The most common story, passed down through generations, is that the tall rock is a princess waiting for her love. Her love went off to battle and never came back, but she still stands there looking for him, waiting for him.
While the top of Chief Cliff is tribal land, the area below it is privately owned and currently in use as a rock quarry. Rock mining has significantly altered Chief Cliff and its lands by removing thousands of tons of building stone. Tribal members are concerned about the rate the quarry below the cliff has been growing over the years, continually scarring the area around it that is sacred to their history.
The Save Chief Cliff organization, recently organized by an enthusiastic young group of tribal members, is working on many fronts to encourage an end to mining near Chief Cliff through a conservation easement, purchase or trade of the property. Raising awareness of Chief Cliff’s importance will help the Kootenai end the threat to this sacred property.
Boston & Montana/Anaconda Company Barn, Great Falls
A stately white barn is the only remaining industrial building on the former Anaconda Mining Company smelter site at Great Falls. The Boston and Montana Company built the barn to house draft animals and equipment used in construction of the smelter that pre-dated the Anaconda Company.
When ACM bought the property in 1910, it was used for storage, and a portion of it housed a fire station and personnel in three finished bedrooms. More recently, the Anaconda Hills Golf Course used the barn for cart storage. It is a well known landmark on Smelter Hill.
Today, the barn is badly weathered after many years of vacancy. The roof is deteriorated and the removal of significant structural supports has compromised the barn’s structural integrity. Many local residents fear that the building is in danger of collapse. The City of Great Falls proposed to demolish the building but has held off due to financial reasons.
A group of builders, Black Eagle residents, city officials, and preservationists have begun a fledgling effort to rescue the barn from demolition. At this time local builders have volunteered to contribute labor and materials to “mothball” the building and arrest further deterioration. Future plans for Smelter Hill and the barn are tied to the re-development of the area as a recreational site, including activities such as horseback riding, barn dances, cycling, golfing and kayaking.
Historic Schools
Montana’s historic schools are the backbone of many communities, often representing the first public building constructed in town and the central meeting place for social functions. Whether built of log, cut lumber, brick or stone, the architecture was often simple, yet stately, and reflected the labor and craftsmanship of local parents who typically volunteered time and funds to provide a home for education in their town. These schools, large and small, served children in all settings from booming mining towns to rural ranching communities to prosperous merchant cities, and today still express the spirit of the formative days of Montana’s early communities.
Today, depopulation in some areas, and rapid growth in others threatens these schools. While many rural one or two room schools persevered late into the 20th century serving less than 10 children, they have since closed their doors and locals struggle to maintain an empty building. On the flipside, towns like Livingston and Billings have seen such growth and development in the last 20 years, there is now pressure to abandon their historic schools in favor of new construction. As many Montana towns have passed or approach their Centennial year, now is the time to raise awareness, offer assistance, and help preserve the buildings that undoubtedly shaped the lives of so many children and still hold powerful memories of childhood, growth, and community life for adults today.
