History of Great Falls Montana begins with Indigenous homelands, the Missouri River, a series of major waterfalls, and ancient travel routes across the northern plains. Located in Cascade County in central Montana, Great Falls developed beside powerful river falls that encouraged transportation, industry, and hydroelectric development. Railroads, agriculture, mining, military activity, and energy later shaped the city.
Indigenous peoples lived throughout the Missouri River region long before Great Falls developed. Blackfeet, Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and other Native peoples maintained connections with the wider area. The plains and river supported hunting, travel, trade, and community life. Therefore, Great Falls history begins long before American settlement.
The Missouri River became the defining geographic feature of Great Falls. Several major waterfalls occur along this section of the river. Later, these falls provided opportunities for industrial and hydroelectric development.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Great Falls of the Missouri in 1805. The expedition spent weeks completing a difficult portage around the waterfalls. Their journals documented the landscape and challenges encountered along this section of the river.
Fur traders became increasingly active along the upper Missouri during the nineteenth century. River transportation connected trading posts with distant markets. However, Indigenous nations had already maintained extensive trade networks across the northern plains.
Paris Gibson recognized the industrial potential of the Great Falls during the 1880s. He planned a community beside the Missouri River with broad streets, parks, businesses, and industrial sites. Railroad entrepreneur James J. Hill supported Gibson’s development plans.
Great Falls was founded in 1883. Its location near the waterfalls and surrounding agricultural land offered major economic possibilities. Consequently, homes, stores, mills, and other businesses appeared as settlers arrived.
Great Falls incorporated as a city in 1888. The community expanded quickly as transportation and industrial investment increased. Meanwhile, its planned street system helped organize residential and commercial development.
James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway became crucial to Great Falls. Rail connections moved passengers, livestock, grain, minerals, and manufactured goods. As a result, the city developed into an important transportation center for north-central Montana.
The Missouri River’s falls offered enormous potential for generating electricity. Dams and hydroelectric facilities were constructed along the river during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Therefore, inexpensive power helped attract industrial development.
Black Eagle Falls became closely associated with early hydroelectric and industrial activity. A dam provided power for nearby operations. Additionally, the surrounding area developed strong connections with smelting and manufacturing.
Mining companies needed facilities to process Montana’s valuable mineral resources. A major smelter operated at Black Eagle near Great Falls and eventually became part of the Anaconda Company’s operations. For generations, the complex provided employment and influenced the local economy.
Farms and ranches across north-central Montana relied on Great Falls for supplies, processing, banking, and transportation. Wheat and livestock became especially important regional products. Meanwhile, railroads helped connect producers with national markets.
Western artist Charles M. Russell made Great Falls his home for much of his career. His paintings and sculptures depicted cowboys, Native peoples, wildlife, and Montana landscapes. Today, the C.M. Russell Museum preserves a major collection of his work and his historic home and studio.
Catholic Ursuline Sisters established an important educational presence in Great Falls during the nineteenth century. Their academy served students from the region. The surviving Ursuline Centre remains connected with the city’s religious, educational, and architectural history.
A military airfield was established east of Great Falls during World War II. It later became Malmstrom Air Force Base. During the Cold War, the installation gained an important role connected with intercontinental ballistic missiles and national defense.
The Anaconda Company’s Great Falls smelter closed in 1980. Its closure marked the end of a major chapter in local heavy industry. However, healthcare, government, military employment, agriculture, education, and services helped diversify the economy.
Great Falls retains sites connected with exploration, industry, transportation, art, and hydroelectric power. Museums and historic districts preserve important local stories. Additionally, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center explains the expedition’s difficult journey around the Missouri River falls.
Great Falls grew from Indigenous homelands and the Missouri River corridor into a railroad, industrial, agricultural, and military center. The waterfalls, hydroelectric power, railroads, smelting, and Malmstrom Air Force Base shaped its development. Today, museums, historic sites, and river landmarks preserve important chapters of Great Falls history.