Old Missoula

These photos appeared in the Missoulian Centennial issue. Below are the captions for the photos on page 19 of Section A.

Indian Encampment Looking Toward Hell Gate

This picture was taken looking toward the entrance of Hell Gate Canyon between Mt. Sentinel and Mt. Jumbo and toward what today is the east end of South 5th Street east by Dr. Charles W. Lombard, Missoula’s first dentist, in the 1890s. There were few houses on the South Side in those days and Indian encampments such as these were common on flats near the city, buildings of which were located mostly north of the Clark Fork River. This enlargement of Dr. Lombard’s photo was loaned to the Centennial Edition by a daughter, Mrs. Tom Seely.

Colorful Costumes For Special Days

These are descendants of the residents of western Montana who lived here long before Hell Gate and Missoula were started. The Indians passed through and camped in this valley when there wasn’t a sign of the white man or his wooden buildings.

And when the white men came to this area to settle, the Flathead Indians (at left and below), unlike many other tribes, cooperated with and aided the intruders for the most part, with only scattered instances of violence the code of common decency.

The Indians of today still dress on festive occasions in the clothing of their ancestors, appearing in parades and pageants, at fairs and rodeos to add much color of the western events.
John and Stanislo Charlie at Arlee about 1907 (Courtesy of Harvey C. Hackman)

Miss Indian American of 1960, Delores Marie Racine of Browning, is shown on a visit to Missoula this year. She is a descendant of Wades-in-the-Water, son of Running Crane, who was one of the last hereditary Blackfeet chiefs. (Missoulian-Sentinel Photo)

Two of the photos at bottom (Flathead Indians in ceremonial dress) are listed as Catlin Photos.