Most Missoulians are familiar with that wonderful Victorian-style building just south of the Higgins Avenue Bridge called "The Babs.” It’s well over a century old, and stands as a monument to an ambitious young man whose name was once as well known as early Missoula notables Higgins, Woody, Stephens or Hammond – but now is largely forgotten. Professor Edward C. Reitz and … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: ‘The Babs’ served early Missoula as a business college

A piece of Missoula history is being torn down this summer. The removal of the Rattlesnake Dam (see Laura Lundquist’s story), will allow Rattlesnake Creek to run free for the first time in nearly 120 years. Unlike the demolition of the Missoula Mercantile, the reviews of this razing are positive. Rattlesnake Creek provided Missoula with its “pure” drinking water for most of … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: 120 years ago, Rattlesnake Dam gave Missoula the water needed to grow

Had the weather been nicer, the attendance certainly would have been much higher, but September 22, 1895 was bitterly cold – more like December. Still, it “did not in any way lessen the enthusiasm of the celebration of colored people,” according to an account in the Anaconda Standard newspaper. It was the 33rd anniversary of President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Missoula City Band to reprise playlist from 1895 celebration of Emancipation Proclamation

It’s been 90 days since I have been able to photograph live music being played. But this afternoon outside the Missoula Art Museum, under the Jay Laber sculpture, local band Chamfer was playing. The afternoon was perfect. This band is made up of Lucas Lloyd on guitar, Molly Buchanan on guitar, Donal Can Lakatua on bass, and Caleb Tutty and Ben Elmer on drums. It’ s a … [Read more...] about Seen around Missoula: Local band strikes up outside the MAM

https://youtu.be/0tK1QYs0urw With the resettlement of refugees into the U.S. on pause, the International Rescue Committee in Missoula is helping families navigate the coronavirus pandemic while they await the hopeful arrival of loved ones. Jen Barile, director of the Missoula office, said the city's refugee community has endured its share of challenges during the … [Read more...] about Face to Face: Jen Barile and the International Rescue Committee in Missoula