Area History
Montana and the beautiful Kalispell valley are rich in ancient and industrial history. Archaeologist can date human existence in the area to over 10,000yrs ago. These finding are most definetly direct discendants to the native people of the area.
In the early 1800's French, British, and Spanish trappers cam in search of beaver pelts. In 1806 the Lewis and Clark Expedition came within 50 miles of the area that is now Glacier National Park.
As the number of people moving west steadily increase, the
Blackfeet, Salish and Kootenai were forced onto reservations. The Blackfeet Reservation adjoins the east side of the park. The Salish and Kootenai reservations is SW of Glacier. This entire area holds great spiritual importance to the Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai people.
The railroad over Marias Pass was completed in 1891. The completion of the Great Northern Railway allowed more people to enter the area. Homesteaders settled in the valleys west of Marias Pass and soon small towns developed.
Under pressure from miners, the mountains east of the Continental Divide were acquired in 1895 from the Blackfeet. Miners came searching for the copper and gold. They hoped to striek it rich, but no large copper or gold deposits were ever located. Although the mining boom lasted only a few years, abandoned mine shafts are still found in several places in the park.