Missoula Montana

What do a carousel, a mascot, and a historic site have in common?  They can all be found in one of my favorite communities - Missoula, Montana.  Lewis and Clark passed through the valley in 1805.  C.P. Higgins and Francis Worden opened a trading post in 1860 calling it “Hellgate Village.” In 1877 the US Army established Fort Missoula it was decommissioned in 1947.

Montana was still a territory when an act of Congress dedicated 72 sections for the creation of the University (February 18, 1881).  It was founded in 1893 and formally opened in 1895.  The University even has it’s own zip code 59801 and its own postal service.  It also has a friendly rivalry with my Alma Mater, Montana State University – Bozeman.

Monte is the University mascot and in 2008 Jennifer Newbold wrote “The Great MonteMystery” (picture book).  I loved how she incorporated local landmarks within the story.

The Missoula Carousel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07TCYSLEEis is on my must see list.  In 1991 Chuck Kaparich a Missoula cabinet maker approached the city council.  He told them, “If you will give it a home and promise no one will ever take it apart I will build A Carousel for Missoula.” It was approved.  He taught volunteers to carve and paint and he rebuilt the mechanical parts of an old carousel. In 1995 the project was completed.  125 businesses and 1100 people had contributed financially, 240 volunteers had completed over 100,000 hours to make it a reality.

The day I was there a young bride and groom were enjoying the carousel with their wedding party.  They radiated such joy and promise.

A couple of Carousel Facts:

 - 38 carved horses, 2 chariots

 - 800 hours to carve and paint each horse

Fort Missoula is now a historic site.  May 12, 1896 2LT James Moss received permission to organize the 25^th Infantry Bicycle Corps.  It was the first of its kind in the country.  The story of the Black Bicycle Corps is an amazing story.  I first learned about the Regiment in an article featured in the Army Times many years ago. http://www.fortmissoulamuseum.org/blackbicyclecorps.php

Between 1941-1944 it served as an Alien Detention Center.  It held 1,200 non-military Italian men, 1,000 Japanese residential aliens, 23 German resident aliens and 123 Japanese Latin and South American aliens. http://www.fortmissoulamuseum.org/aliendetention.php

There are three major post offices in Missoula two in town and one on campus.  Check out the rainbow and flag near one of the post offices.

Links of interest http://montanakids.com/things_to_see_and_do/cool_places/carousel.htm

http://www.destinationmissoula.org/guide-view  - Missoula Travel Guide