Old Missoula

Chamber Works Constantly For Betterment of Missoula

If support or resistance, discussion or assistance was needed, the Missoula Chamber of Commerce has always stepped forward to volunteer.

The activities of the chamber have been innumerable, and every project is accomplished by a great deal of good will.

Subversive Bodies

In the 1940s the chamber urged Congress to pass legislation outlawing all subversive bodies, recommended that parking meters be installed in the business section of Missoula, sponsored a survey of the Bitter Root River and its tributaries to determine water problems in the area, supported the development of the Marshall Ski Area, organized a health council to coordinate health programs of organizations within the county thus eliminating duplication of effort and achieving more effective results from money expended.

Supporting a position taken by the Western Montana Fair Board in 1941, the chamber passed a resolution forbidding carnivals to operate within the county after July 4. The chamber was also sponsoring spring unveilings of store windows to more effectively display styles.

In 1942 the chamber announced that any attempt to form a Young Men’s Christian Association in Missoula would be resisted by the chamber because it was believed that Missoula had sufficient public organizations to meet actual needs of the community – all that could be afforded.

Industrial Spur

Throughout the years the chamber has sponsored series of farm tours, and in 1949 the chamber considered the possibility of starting a wood molasses plant to produce supplemental livestock food. But it was decided that it was not financially feasible at the time.

In 1949 a favorable report was submitted to the chamber on the possibility of establishing new pulp mills in this area. New industry has been a major concern of the chamber. Successes include the new Waldorf-Hoerner Co. pulp mill and the Van-Evan Co. plywood plant, both in the Missoula area.

RTB Established

In August 1948 a Missoula Retail Trade Bureau was established as a department of the chamber to promote better understanding between retailers and consumers.

The chamber counts as successes its 1953 campaign for a new fire station, the 1954 drive for a new South avenue Missoula County High School, the campaign to bring natural gas to Missoula which culminated in June 1956 when the chamber conducted the welcoming ceremonies for the arrival of natural gas to Missoula, the continuing drive for new bridges, the campaign to keep Missoula city buses running, and many more.

Sponsor Ike

The Chamber of Commerce sponsored President Dwight D. Eisenhower as the principal speaker at the opening of the Aerial Fire Depot in 1954, Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson in 1957, and the world premier of the Republic Pictures production of “Timberjack.”

A friend of Montana State University, the chamber has urged legislation favorable to the University, supported better lighting in the University district, organized a campaign to begin a Century Club for MSU athletes, and sponsored the first Business-Education Day in Missoula in 1955.

For the youngsters the chamber organized the first annual clown contest in 1953 which has continued since. The year of 1953 was also the last year when the chamber sponsored the Junior Fat Stock Show in the absence of a county fair. The first annual Ray Rocene Award for outstanding local sportsman of the year was presented in 1957 under the auspices of the chamber.

The chamber also invited 10,000 youths to meet in Missoula during 1957 for the Young Peoples Luther League International Convention. Some 9,500 youths arrived to participate.

Offices Remodeled

In 1957 the Chamber of Commerce completely remodeled chamber owned offices at a cost of $25,000. Presently the chamber is the Centennial celebration organizer and the founder of Missoula 100 Inc.

Donald F. Wilson, who came to Missoula in 1952, is manager of the chamber. The 1960 Board of Directors includes Robert E. Jones, president; Mills Folsom, vice president; Carl E. Dragstedt, chairman of executive committee; Ralph Dickson, treasurer; William C. Baker, Ronald E. Blake, Syd Kraable, James E. Meyers, Robert T. Pantzer, Vernon R. Peterson, Vern Reynolds, Robert C. Runke, Edward L. Swift, Jeremy G. Thane, and Wilson, secretary and manager.