Historical Fort Missoula

1. Missoula's First Streetcar System

Missoula's first streetcar system, a horse-drawn car, began operation in May of 1892 and operated through August of 1897 when re-planking of the Higgins Street Bridge necessitated the removal of the tracks. The Missoulian, in its October 4, 1897 issue noted: "Now that the street car track is torn up the students (at the new University of Montana) are wondering how they will get to the university in bad weather."

It would take another ten years for Missoula to get another trolley system, when in June of 1907 U. S. Senator William A. Clark toured the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Valleys in the hopes of forming a trolley system from Great Falls to Missoula, and then south to Hamilton. His Missoula Street Railway Company was incorporated February 25, 1909 and ran faithfully until January 24, 1932.

Read More Missoula History Minutes