U.S. exploration and settlement The first non-Native American explorers known to have set foot in Montana were the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–06). Fur trappers and traders followed, setting up forts to trade with the Native Americans.
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Who was the first settlers in Montana?
Roman Catholic missionaries followed the trappers into Montana. They established Saint Mary’s Mission in the Bitterroot Valley, thought to be the first permanent settlement in Montana. They also promoted agriculture and built a sawmill.
Who colonized Montana?
The first Europeans to venture into Montana were French fur traders in the 1700s. They set up trading posts and traded with the Native Americans for beaver furs. Over the next several years, the land was claimed by both the French and Spanish.
What nationalities settled Montana?
The most notable settlement was that of Finnish lumbermen east of Missoula in 1892. Italians and Germans settled in Fergus and Park counties, and many Germans came from North Dakota and Canada. The cattlemen of Montana were primarily English and Scottish, although they drove cattle owned by the Germans.
Who was the first white man in Montana?
The first white man known to have explored this region is Sieur de la Varendry, who made his way up the Missouri River during the years 1730 to 1744, and reached the Rocky Mountains in January 1743. He did not remain, and did not contribute any valuable historical information about the country.
What was Montana called before it became a state?
After the discovery of gold in the region, Montana was designated as a United States territory (Montana Territory) on May 26, 1864 and, with rapid population growth, as the 41st state on November 8, 1889.
When did Montana get statehood?
November 8, 1889
Why does Montana have a low population?
Montana. Montana, Wyoming’s neighbor to the north, has a population density of 7.1 people per square mile.This population spread contributes to the low density of people here as well as the main economic activity, agriculture. Huge swaths of land are needed to cultivate cereal grain and raise cattle.
Who made Montana a state?
In July 1889, Montanans convened their third constitutional convention and produced a constitution accepted by the people and the federal government. On November 8, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed Montana the union’s 41st state.
What is special about Montana?
Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation. The state boasts the largest breeding population of trumpeter swans in the lower United States. At the Rocky Mountain Front Eagle Migration Area west of Great Falls more golden eagles have been seen in a single day than anywhere else in the country.
Did the Spanish discover Montana?
In fact, there is no Colonial Spanish heritage in Montana since Spanish explorers never made it to the area. Montaña means mountain or mountainous in Spanish, and was proposed by a congressman from Ohio when the area applied to become a territory.
Who is a famous person from Montana?
Actors
| Name | Lifetime | Montana connection |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Bridges | 1949–present | Has had a primary home in the Paradise Valley for over 30 years |
| Scott Michael Campbell | 1971–present | Born in Missoula |
| Dana Carvey | 1955–present | Born in Missoula |
| Gary Cooper | 1901–1961 | Born and raised on a ranch near Helena |
How did Montana get its name?
Although the name Montana is derived from the Spanish montaña (“mountain” or “mountainous region”), it has an average elevation of only 3,400 feet, the lowest among the Rocky Mountain states.
What is Montana State animal?
grizzly bear
State animal. The grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, as preferred by a vote of Montana schoolchildren, is the official Montana state animal.
What is Montana nickname?
Big Sky CountryThe Treasure State
What does the word Montana mean?
mountainous
Montana is a word derived from the Spanish word meaning “mountainous.” The western portion of the state is dominated by the rugged Rocky Mountains.In 1864 Montana became a territory approved by Abraham Lincoln. It was at this time that the territory officially became known as Montana.
What is the most common job in Montana?
What Are the Most Popular Jobs in Montana?
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations with 67,620 employed.
- Sales and Related Occupations 49,960 employed.
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupation 46,030 employed.
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 29,340 employed.
What are 5 interesting facts about Montana?
Interesting facts about Montana
- The name Montana has a Spanish origin.
- The motto of Montana is “oro y plata” and this means “gold and silver” in Spanish.
- Butte, Montana is called the “richest hill on planet earth”.
- Montana has a very low population density.
- Montana has a large population of grizzly bears.
Where was gold first discovered in Montana?
The initial discovery was recorded in the spring of 1858 at Gold Creek, just east of Drummond, by brothers Granville and James Stewart, along with their partner Reece Anderson. In July of 1862, a gold rush to Montana started based on news of an initial big strike at Grasshopper Creek by John White.
Why did euro Americans want statehood for Montana territory?
Euro-American immigrants started pushing for statehood almost as soon as they arrived in the territory.They did not like that the federal government controlled the territory’s funds and appointed government leaders. And they wanted true representation in Congress.
Was Montana the 41st state?
By 1889, when Montana became the 41st state of the union, the cattle drive was an institution, and the state had begun to emerge as one of the country’s leading copper-mining centres. Montana is called the Treasure State because of its immense mineral wealth.
