Old Missoula

The Beginning of Blue Mountain Rec Area – Almost 5,000 acres – 1939

Target Range Project Moves Ahead Steadily

Condemnation Proceedings Have Been Instituted to Get 1,215 Acres.

To acquire title to a portion of the lands required for the new rifle range for Fort Missoula to be southwest across the river from the post, condemnation proceedings have been instituted in Federal court in the name of the United States of America, announced H. F. Root, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce military affairs committee. A hearing will be held March 10 in Federal court.

A total of 1,215 acres of land is involved. It is owned by M. J. Healy, 920 acres; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hubert, 160 acres; Mr. and Mrs. John Klapwyck, 55 acres; W. C. Maclay-Maber Gardner, 80 acres.

The entire project will include 4,775 acres of land. Of that amount, the lumber department of the Anaconda Copper Mining company has made an outright gift of 1,920 acres of land, 1,400 acres is being acquired by exchange of lands, negotiations are under way for 240 acres and 1,215 acres mentioned above make up the rest.

The exchange of lands was made possible, it is said, by the splendid cooperation of some of the property-holders. Edna Wilma Simons trading 1,240 acres and Clara A. Maclay trading 160 acres. Mr. Root commended their fine spirit.

It is anticipated that proceedings will be entirely completed and the range turned over to the Federal government by early summer.

Since it fully realizes the economic importance of doing all in its power to increase the personnel of the post and to place its maintenance on a satisfactory basis, the Chamber of Commerce has assumed the financial responsibility for securing this property, said Mr. Root. “A fund of $2,000 was set up in 1938 to cover the preliminary costs and to apply on the purchase price. Another $2,000 is included in the 1939 budget, and funds will be borrowed to handle the balance of the cost.”

The article above appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 21, 1939.

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After a long and contentious saga that included over 30 years of negotiations, the U. S. Forest Service submitted a recreation plan for the Blue Mountain area in 1972. Local citizens began seriously advocating for the area in the mid-1960’s, but met with predictable opposition from several fronts, including the Forest Service itself. In 1966 the Forest Service’s Lolo District Ranger, Warren Ensign, stated that an application for a special use permit by Missoula County Commissioners was denied “because of conflict with military requirements.” A Colonel Rankin was cited at that time stating that the military needed “unhampered use” of the area.

Still recognizing the potential of the area for much wider recreational use, citizen groups in 1966 began organizing clean-up drives. Proposals for organizing the Blue Mountain area were finally gaining traction. The Missoula Chamber of Commerce and the Missoulian newspaper became involved in the project as well.

A large Missoulian article in 1971 cited numerous hurdles that had to be addressed first. Shooters were still using the area to sight in their firearms. Anticipating their involvement, the Hellgate Cycle Club was active in the cleanup campaign, hauling away 17 truckloads of garbage and several old car bodies. Trails and roads in the area suffered from years of heavy erosion. Snowmobilers also used the area often. The area was noted for “beer, sex, and wild parties,” and vandals frequently wrecked attempts at organizing, shooting holes in every sign that was posted. “Law enforcement officials view the land as a trouble spot.”

Finally, in 1972, a local Resource Conservation Committee drafted a plan which was adopted by the U. S. Forest Service. It included equestrian and hiking trails, motorcycle trails, and a picnic and parking area. A 300-acre area with river and fishing access was part of this plan. Public shooting was now restricted from the lower area as well as vehicle traffic.

By 1973 a series of trails were officially designated for the area. Bicycle, horseback and hiking trails were located in the lower area, while limited use for motorcycles was also planned. Cross country and off-road travel were now restricted in the area.

The Army National Guard continued to use the Blue Mountain area well into the 1980’s. Public announcements warned the public that live firing was planned on days they advertised. However, by 1985, residents living near the area began organizing in protest and convinced Guard officials to begin a search for new facilities.