|
Great Falls is
known as the “Electric City” because of its
numerous dams and power plants. Montana's third
largest city is located on the Missouri River
among the five falls that were both a
magnificent spectacle and formidable barrier to
early river travel. This area held great
significance for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The explorers were forced to spend nearly a
month portaging around the falls in June 1805.
Much of the Missouri River in this area remains
as it was when Lewis and Clark first viewed it
over 200 years ago.
The Great Falls of the Missouri is now the site
of Ryan Dam. Arrangements can be made to use the
dam’s clubhouse facility and outdoor picnic
area. There are actually several waterfalls on
the Missouri. Crooked Falls and Rainbow Falls
remain almost in their original state and can be
viewed from River Drive just outside the city.
Black Eagle Falls can be seen from River Drive
en route to Giant Springs Heritage State Park.
On the bluffs above the Missouri River, the
interpretive center provides an ideal view of
terrain similar to what the Corps of Discovery
encountered along their portage of the Great
Falls of the Missouri River. The center is
convenient to the many sights of Great Falls.
Exhibits, live programs and a video provide a
comprehensive understanding of central Montana's
importance to the Corps' mission and the area's
place in history along the Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail. The center, on Giant
Springs Road, sits less than a half-mile from
Giant Springs, where Clark recorded his
discovery of June 18, 1805.
 Giant
Springs Heritage State Park is a lovely park
that preserves one of the largest natural, cold
water springs in the world. Flow from the
springs supports a state trout hatchery and also
qualifies as the shortest river in the world,
the Roe River. Enjoy a river drive, overlooks,
picnic sites and visitor center in this area.
This area of waterfalls may be viewed via an
eight-mile, paved, non-motorized pathway known
as the River's Edge Trail. It offers a unique
experience to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike
along three of the falls. There is also a paved
road with scenic turnouts where the falls can be
viewed by car.
You can find
contemporary art at Paris Gibson Square Museum
of Art, named for the founder of Great Falls.
This beautiful building was originally built in
1895 and constructed from sandstone quarried
near Helena. It has an ornate interior and is
designated as a National Historic Landmark. The
museum also houses the Museum Cafe, museum gift
shop and a branch of the Montana Wilderness
Association. Great Falls was also the home of
the famed cowboy artist Charlie Russell, whose
original home and log studio are now part of the
C. M. Russell Museum Complex.
A look at our
area's homesteader and cowboy past can be found
at the Cascade County Historical Society Museum
in the High Plains Heritage Center. There you
will also find the Great Falls Geneology Society
Library. Also stop by The Cowboys' Museum, which
takes a look at what Montana was like during the
days of those unsung heroes—the cowboys,
stockmen and pioneers. The museum is housed in
an authentic log cabin with double fireplaces
and hitching posts. It is filled with Old West
relics—branding irons, rawhide ropes and, ox
yokes. More than 500 mementos are on display.
Great Falls is the
site of Malmstrom Air Force Base, the center of
our nation's first Minuteman Missile Complex.
The museum explains the history of the base,
from its role in World War II to the present.
Displays at the air park include a “Huey”
helicopter, a Stratotanker used for in-flight
refueling, a Minuteman intercontinental
ballistic missile and many aircraft used as
fighters and bombers.
Discover the
magic, history and beauty of Great Falls while
on the Great Falls Historic Trolley or Tour de
Great Falls. You'll see and hear about the Lewis
& Clark Expedition, Indians of the region, Giant
Springs State Park, C. M. Russell Museum
Complex, historic downtown Great Falls, Three
waterfalls, Paris Gibson Square, historic
railroad area, Historic Home District, churches,
saloons and other historic buildings.
Great Falls is a
marketing center with good air and highway
connections. Grand vistas can be found in every
direction; Great Falls is surrounded by
mountains and buttes on three sides, as well as
vast plains to the north. Within minutes you can
be on a large wheat farm, in a beautiful winding
river gorge, or a picturesque valley. The city,
with its Midwestern flavor, straddles the
Missouri River, which meanders toward natural
falls on the northeastern edge of town.
Take a short drive
and visit the Ulm Pishkun State Park. This
historic Buffalo Jump is thought to be the
longest in the nation. At the Visitor Center
learn why and how the Native Americans drove
buffalo over the cliffs. Enjoy an awe-inspiring
360-degree panoramic view atop the cliffs.
Major events that
draw visitors to Great Falls are the PRCA
Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in January, the C.
M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art in
March, the Lewis and Clark Festival in June and
the State Fair in July.
Elevation:
3,674 feet. |
