white sulphur springs, montana |
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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MONTANA |
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 White Sulphur Springs, Montana!
White Sulphur Springs is located on highway 89 between Yellowstone Park to the south and Glacier National Park to the north. Highway 89 is also known as Kings Hill Scenic Byway, one of the most beautiful drives in Montana. White Sulphur Springs is located in Meagher County and a two hour drive from Great Falls, Helena or Bozeman.
County Population: 1,932 - Area: 2,395 square miles
Area Code(s): 406 - Time Zone: MST |
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Meagher County, Montana!
Meagher County was one of the original counties in Montana and encompassed the majority of central Montana. White Sulphur Springs, the county seat, was named for the white deposits around the hot sulphur springs in the area. The Indians came to the area for the benefits of the "medical waters". They were also able to hunt and gather food throughout the area. Remnants of teepee rings can be found still today.
Settled in the 1870's and 1880's, the area was primarily noted as a livestock producing area. Additionally, gold, silver and lead mining operations existed in the nearby Castle Mountains. The remains of old abandoned mining camps are scattered throughout the area.
The area around White Sulphur Springs reminds most Montanans of the way Montana used to be. The community of approximately 1,000 +/- people are some of the few lucky ones to live in an area surrounded by fantastic recreation opportunities and to live in a quiet peaceful area, buffered from the hustle and bustle by the Big Belt Mountains, the Little Belt Mountains, and the Castle Mountains. Quality of life does not get any greater than right here.
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White Sulphur Springs, Montana (a short history)
James Brewer's first cabin in the Smith River Valley, at a spot later call Trinity Springs, was the only house on the East Side of the Belt Mountain Range or east of Diamond City. Flathead Indians told him of the "hottest white Sulphur springs" close by, and it was to this spot that Brewer then moved. By 1872 he had constructed a bathhouse with three single bathrooms and one 12' X 12' plunge. Baths cost 75 cents-whiskey was extra. The hotel a short distance to the north was made up of a cluster of individual cabins, all constructed of logs with dirt roofs. Guests came from the Missouri Valley, Helena, Ft. Benton and Camp Baker.
In 1876, James Brewer sold 50 percent of his holdings to Dr. Parberry who later acquired the remainder. Postal service was established in that year and "Brewer's Springs" became "White Sulphur Springs," by order of the Post Office Department after Brewer's sale to Parberry. Parberry's townsite was located in 1878. Two years later, White Sulphur Springs replaced Diamond City as the county seat.
The county seat had a population of 800 people and listed 218 taxpayers in 1898. Jonas Higgins once said of the town that "business is conducted by one large store, two drug stores, two drug livery stables, one harness shop, one meat market, a saloon or two and then some, a good newspaper and two first class banks."
Mineral water was at one time bottled for shipment to many parts of the United States by the Montana Mineral Water Company. Indians roaming through the county were the first to recognize the medicinal value of the springs. They would stop to bathe in the "Wampum Waters" (Wampum translates roughly as "good" or "beneficial".) Many tribes, including the Flathead, Blackfeet and Crow, came here to use these waters to heal their sick. Since some were warring tribes, a form of truce was worked out and this valley became a neutral ground, a Valley of Peace. It was permissible to kill your enemy on the other side of the mountains, but not here. Here you had to co-exist, be peaceful and share the healing waters.
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White Sulphur Springs, Montana (recreation)
White Sulphur Springs has some of the most diverse recreational opportunities in the State, mostly within 30 miles. The City boasts a new nine hole golf course, located on the south side of town; and mineral baths and swimming facilities with water similar to the famous Baden-Baden, Germany, which are maintained and operated by the Spa Motel. Located 28 miles northeast, Showdown Ski Resort, and the King's Hill area has 34 alpine ski runs. The 18 kilometer Silvercrest Cross Country Ski Area and 120 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The famous Castle Mountain elk herd, mile and whitetail deer, mountain lion, bear, antelope, and many species of gamebirds in over 500,000 acres of National Forest provide excellent hunting. Fishing and boating opportunities include flyfishing on blue-ribbon trout streams, lake and ice fishing on reservoirs, and water sports on Newlan Creek Reservoir and Canyon Ferry Lake (40 minutes away). The Labor Day Rodeo, Castle Ghost Town and Fort Logan are other sight-seeing opportunities.
White Sulphur Springs, is a small friendly ranching community and provides all necessary services to the area such as banking, post office, medical services, restaurants, and grocery stores. There is one high school an done elementary school in While Sulphur; and two rural elementary schools that serve outlying areas. Family and community involvement are top priorities for residents of White Sulphur Springs and the outlying areas. Folks come from all over for July 4th celebrations, rodeos, sports events, etc... The airport in White Sulphur can accommodate most prop aircraft and small jets. Commercial air service is available approximately 2 hours away in either Great Falls, Bozeman, or Helena.
White Sulphur Springs, Montana is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 89 and U. S. Highway 12, in the scenic Smith River Valley; about halfway between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Elevation at White Sulphur Springs is 5,180 feet.
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White Sulphur Springs, Montana (trivia)
Dirk Benedict (born Dirk Niewoehner) is an American movie, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for playing the characters Lt. Templeton "The Faceman" Peck in The A-Team television series and Lieutenant Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica movie and television series. He was born in Helena, Montana, and grew up in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. |
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Ringling, Montana
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