Downtown Helena, Montana

Complete with beautifully restored brick buildings, historic streets, and faded ghost signs, the downtown of Montana's capital city has character in spades. Owing to its gold mining wealth in the late 1800s, the historic Last Chance Gulch in downtown Helena, Montana is rich in history and distinct architecture. Also not to be missed are the nearby St. Helena Cathedral, Reeder's Alley, and the Montana State Capitol. 
    

Lewis and Clark in Fort Benton, Montana

Established in 1846, Fort Benton, Montana rose to prominence as a fur trading post with its strategic location on the Upper Missouri River. Fort Benton was also well known at places across the border, like at Fort Walsh now in modern day Saskatchewan, where trading occurred between merchants and the North West Mounted Police on the western frontier.

Prior to the settlement of Fort Benton, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped nearby at the confluence of the Marias River and Missouri River in 1805. They spent nine days exploring the area to determine which river was actually the Missouri and the way to the Pacific Ocean. A large statue by artist Bob Scriver commemorates this history in Fort Benton, depicting Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea with her infant son overlooking the river. 

Historic Train Station in Great Falls, Montana

In 1915 the Milwaukee Road (also known as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway) built a passenger depot in Great Falls, Montana following their Pacific Extension in 1907-1908. Recognized for its distinct 135 foot tower, the station was in operation until the mid-1960s when passenger service ceased. Today the former train station is used as an office building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

A vintage image of the train station in operation (undated).