Montana still has a reputation for being a bit wild and untamed. This is the home where the buffalo still roam, and wild horses run free across the plains. The town of Great Falls was originally inhabited by Paleo-Indians, and many of their marks on the area still remain. Current residents and visitors can find museums throughout the area with artifacts and exhibits detailing the very first settlers to the area.

The plains and mountains of Montana were perfect for the hunters and gatherers. There was never a shortage of food supply, with crops growing easily and bison grazing close by. The same soil that sustained the Salish Indians still provides the residents of Montana with some of the best locally grown produce in the country. Often, the corn and potatoes that you buy in the grocery store came from Montana. Great Falls takes pride in the food that it produces, as well as the many handcrafts that are created from resources in the area.

Montana was introduced to the rest of the country through the exploration of Lewis and Clark in 1806. The two men are still considered great heroes, and Great Falls features the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center where visitors can learn about the trip. The center also features several exhibits on the local Native Americans, as well as lectures and special presentations on the fur trappers and other notable people of Great Falls history.

Great Falls is now a huge supplier of electricity. The waterfalls and hydroelectric dams in the area have earned the town the nickname “Electric City.” While we are still learning about the power of water, Great Falls has long been an industrial city. The city’s industrial history is still visible in many of the buildings, though modern buildings and structures now accompany them.