Missoula deep in the Montana Rockies, is located at the crossroads of U.S. Interstate 90, U.S. Highways 12 and 93, and Montana Highway 200. An ancient lake bed, the Missoula Valley was for centuries the home of buffalo and Indians. Lewis and Clark explored the region in 1805 and 1806. Later more explorers, fur traders and miners traveled the area which saw many skirmishes with Indian tribes in the narrow Hellgate Canyon. The valley became a natural trading place and in 1860 a store was opened to serve the growing traffic. “Law and Order” came to Missoula in 1863 with the capture and hanging of four notorious road agents by the famous Vigilantes from Virginia City, Montana.

Dependable transportation reached Missoula in 1883 with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railway.

Today Missoula is a busy metropolitan community of more than 78,000 people, serving a trade area reaching out nearly 200 miles. Missoula is western Montana’s commercial, industrial, educational and transportation center. The city has grown to become a favorite location for conventions the year around. It offers outstanding facilities and accommodations plus recreation, sports and cultural activities for every visitor.

Missoula is proud of its excellent medical facilities. There are three accredited hospitals whose capabilities include an infectious disease center, artificial kidney team, outstanding coronary care unit, the largest in diagnostic and x-ray equipment and a cobalt treatment unit. The physician ratio is one per every 400 people as compared to a nationwide average of one physician per 1,000 people.

The educational opportunities include the University of Montana, Missoula Technical Center, beauty schools, barber college, public and parochial elementary and high schools.

Missoula is a wonderful place to live and it offers advantages to business and industry.

Missoula, with its unique and beautiful location, offers a variety of vacation activities for the entire family. Sightseeing, sports, culture and just plain relaxation are all at hand in Missoula. Few cities are found in the center of a natural vacationland, so stay awhile, look around, and enjoy the friendly big-sky hospitality.