Flathead Valley History

The earliest human inhabitants of the Flathead Valley were the native peoples who ventured here on foot and by canoe around 10,000 years ago when the glaciers receded.

The early Indian trails naturally followed the valleys, rivers and mountain passes that later became the wagon roads, railroads and finally highways that brought later settlers to the valley.

The History of Flathead Valley exhibition tells the story of how we got here and why we stayed.

Vignettes of early homesteading families, the communities they established, and the various means of transportation they used are featured in the exhibition.