Montana State University Bozeman - Montanan Yearbook (Bozeman, MT)

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MONTANA It should be rather obvious that this isn’t a detailed, or even a complete map of the state of Montana. What we wanted to do was give the students some idea of the places they can visit on a normal — or extended — weekend. Every one of the areas shown on the map offers museums, galleries, recreational activities and many other enticements too numerous to mention...and all of them are within an eight hour drive of Bozeman. Take advantage of all the natural and man made resources offered...see Montana first hand while you’re here. 9

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Montana. The very name evokes images of mountain men, Indians, goldminers, gunfighters and unbelievable natural beauty. It brings to mind the gold rush of the 1860s and the Indian Wars of the 1870s. But Montana is much, much more...obviously m'ore than we can explore in these few pages. But well try. Montana was first explored in any detail during the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1805-1807. Their reports of abundant fur — especially beaver — drew the first whites; the mountain men. Subsequent expeditions, notably those of miners heading for the gold fields, drew thousands of adventurers to southwestern Montana. The whiteman’s greed for riches forced the plains Indians to violently try to recover their land, and their way of life, resulting in the bloody Indian wars that finally ended with their defeat in 1879; though, not until the Army suffered one of its most humiliating defeats when Lieutenant Colonel George Custer and five of ten troops of the 7th Cavalry were annihilated at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Today, the majority of Montana’s Indians live on one of seven reservations: the Blackfeet, Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Flathead, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne reservations which are located primarily along the northern and southern borders of the state. The total 5,374,093 acres are home to the Salish, Kootenai, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Sioux, Black-feet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Chippewa and Cree Indians. The racial makeup of Montana is a mixed bag by any standards. Whites are the predominant race, Indians are the second, and blacks and other races are a smaller minority. In the past few years there has been a large influx of Asians — basically Vietnamese, Hmong and Montagnards. There has also been a visable growth in the Hispanic community. Largely rural, Montana consists of hundreds of small communities with only a few major urban areas among them: Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, Butte, Bozeman and Billings. The major industries are agriculture, mining, manufacturing, oil, tourism and surprisingly — education. There are universities in Missoula and Bozeman, colleges in Havre, Dillon, Butte, Great Falls, Billings, Kalispell and Glendive. Each of the schools perform a vital function in the higher education system of Montana and each maintains a reputation for educational professionalism and excellence recognized nationwide. Montana’s population is less than one million, spread across 147,000 square miles, giving Montana a ratio of approximately 14 people per square mile compared to the national average of nearly 80 people per square mile. The fourth largest state in the Union, Montana is constantly attracting new residents and new industries as people seek to return to the naturalness of a by gone era. The western third of the state is mountainous, with the Rockies forming the Continental Divide. Other mountain ranges creating vast scenic beauty and recreational opportunities include the Crazies, Bridgers, Big and Little Belts, Purcell, Madison, Absaroka, Gravelly, Tobacco Root and Bitterroot ranges. The tallest peak in Montana is Granite Peak near the Wyoming border. These areas afford excellent fishing, boating and swimming in lakes, rivers and streams. The Madison River, for example, is rated world wide as a blue ribbon trout stream. Backpack- 8

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Charron ing, camping, skiing, and numerous other outdoor recreational opportunities are available to the student and visitor as well. Both of the nation’s more popular national parks — Glacier and Yellowstone — are also located only a few hours drive from the campus. The state also has a variety of parks, national forests and wilderness areas for those interested in something more than urban life. For those with more intellectual pursuits in mind, the area offers museums, national historic sites and community theatres across the state. One of the more prestigious, and internationally known museums is located next to the campus. The Museum of the Rockies offers a chronological history of the northwest region of the United States from the age of dinosaurs to the future of the stars. It is one museum that draws the visitor back time and time again with its constantly changing displays and exhibits. Other important museums include the Charlie Russell museum in Great Falls, the State Historical Museum in Helena and other museums in Bozeman, Billings, Butte, Dillon and smaller museums in many local communities. Art galleries are also found widespread in the area, from Great Falls to Ennis...and all within easy reach of the student. This is only a brief guide to the area, and doesn’t cover many of the interesting and exciting offerings available to the student on a day-to day basis. For more information, students can consult brochures distributed by the university, local chambers of commerce, the state tourist bureau and other private sources. There is just too much to ignore. Montana is a warm state — emotionally — that draws non resident students from around the world. Many of them later return to make their permanent homes here. We extend a hearty welcome and invite you to take advantage of all we have to offer. The Big Sky-Treasure State can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Make yourself at home and enjoy your days with us. 10