| Welcome to North Central Montana....
"Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." These famous and touching words were spoken October 5, 1877 by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe. On that day, 432 members of the Nez Perce Tribe surrendered to the US Cavalry after a four month pursuit from northeastern Oregon. It was an arduous flight, punctuated by several battles, ending here in north central Montana. Bear Paw Battle field commemorates the fallen warriors and soldiers, and the valiant survivors of this confrontation. It is located 16 miles south of Chinook, Montana. A self-guided trail, picnic tables and restrooms are available. Bear Paw Battlefield is a unit of Nez Perce National Historical Park, which consists of 38 sites located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Park office is located in the Chinook Chamber Visitor Center on the corner of Highway 2 and Indiana. The Blaine County Museum serves as the Park's interim visitor center. For more information:
Experience the West, prehistoric to pioneer, through exhibits that tell the story of this land, its people and its times. The paleontology department exhibits many unique fossil remains of paleo-life from the seas, which periodically covered this region, to the dinosaurs that ruled the land 75 million years ago. Extensive exhibits tell the story of various local Indian tribes, the pioneer days of the cowboy and the hardships of the homestead era up through both World Wars. The audio-visual presentation "40 Miles to Freedom" detailing the Nez Perce Battle of the Bear Paws is one of the highlights of the Museum. Admission is free and guided tours are available. Open:
Fort Assiniboine is located 6 miles southwest of Havre along the banks of Beaver Creek in the shadow of the Bears Paw Mountains. The original half-million acre Fort was once the largest military post constructed in Montana. Formally established in 1879, it housed over 500 residents in a complex of 104 buildings clustered around the parade grounds. The surviving buildings stand as a monument to Montana's frontier heritage and the many soldiers who were stationed here over the years, including the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry. Visitors are guided on a walking tour of the grounds, including the existing buildings and excavated sites. Tour schedules and other information:
The H. Earl Clack Museum was founded in 1964 and named after a prominent early Havre businessman. The museum provides historical information on Havre and the surrounding area from prehistoric to current times. Intricate hand crafted dioramas, unique artifacts and original documents bring history to life. Formerly located at the Great Northern Fairgrounds, in 1998 the museum has moved to the newly acquired and renovated Old Havre Post Office. The new location will offer an Art Gallery along with the Gift Shop and information packets on the various local tours.
For more information:
Havre Beneath the Streets The city of Havre, once one of the roughest towns in the west, was a melting pot of races and social backgrounds. These diverse townspeople eventually coordinated into a thriving community with the introduction of the railroad. The business community expanded into all available space, including the buildings' basements. These underground businesses – both respectable and illicit – were accessed through interior and exterior stairwells. Many of the businesses were linked together by underground passages for convenience...or secrecy. Sadly, much of the original underground business space was destroyed by fire or construction expansion. But in recent years a determined group of volunteers have formed an entity called "Havre Beneath the Streets, Inc." Through their untiring efforts the remaining underground business area is being preserved and recreated for the public. A major addition to the tour is the Havre Railroad Museum displaying the history of the introduction and expansion of the railroad and its influence on the area. Come see the: Post Office - Holland & Son Mercantile - Sporting Eagle Saloon - The Bordello - Casady Blacksmith Shop - Wah Sing Laundry - The Opium Den - Fountain Barber Shop - And more...Guided Tours approximately 1 hour long.
An International Historic Trail Trail of Whiskey Traders, Merchant Princes, the Northwest Mounted Police and the US Cavalry This official Montana historic trail commemorates the main transportation and supply route that existed in the 1870's - 1890's. It begins at the Old Fort Park in Fort Benton, continues on to Fort Assiniboine near Havre, and ends at Fort Walsh in the Cypress Hills of Canada. Contact:
"A 2,000 Year Old Archeological Site" The Wahkpa Chu'gn site (pronounced "wock-pa-jew-kon") is a prehistoric Indian bison kill and campsite which was frequently used from approximately 2,000 to 600 years ago. It is one of the largest known bison kill sites in northern Montana. The Museum conducts guided walking tours of the site approximately 1 hour long. The tours provide a unique and unequaled view of the area's cultural prehistory as well as illustrating the techniques employed by archeologists to discover and interpret it. On your tour of the site you will view extensive archeological bison kill and campsite deposits at various depths up to 20 feet below the surface. Tours available June 1st through Labor Day
Email saddlesore@hwy2.com if you have any questions or would like to add a web site. Last update - May 6, 2002. This page and all its contents © Februay 2001 by Cottonwood Studio, Havre MT 59501 |