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Population: 56,690 Located in Cascade County
Clean, clear air and a friendly, forward-looking community make Great Falls, Montana an ideal place to enjoy a well-rounded life style and to raise a family.
Great Falls is the county seat of Cascade County and is the third largest
city in Montana. Situated on the Missouri River in Central Montana, the city
lies approximately 50 miles east of the Continental Divide, 120 miles south
of the Canadian border and 180 miles northwest of Billings, the largest city
in Montana. Great Falls encompasses an area of over 23.36 square miles with
a population of 58,536 according to 2008 Census estimates.
Great Falls is very involved in environmental improvements, which include
the current development of West Bank along the Missouri River and includes
the new Federal Courthouse and the new Staybridge Hotel.
Present day Great Falls¹ original town site was first noted in the journals
of Lewis and Clark in 1805 as they portaged around "the thundering Great
Falls of the Missouri." The Missouri River drops 512 feet over perpendicular
falls and many cascades in 10 miles within Great Falls. In 1882, Paris
Gibson, a Minneapolis city planner and engineer, recognized the potential of
the area's abundant resources and central location, and with the backing of
railroad magnate James J. Hill, became the city's first developer. Eight
years later, the first of five dams to harness the mighty Missouri was
completed. Gibson's legacy was a carefully planned city incorporating 56
parks -- a heritage of beauty that makes Great Falls unique today.
Great Falls¹ economy is presently growing with the construction of a new
hospital tower, new hotels, a new cancer center and a new $16 million
federal courthouse and ongoingg new residential development. Great Falls is
below the national average in cost of living indexes. Overall, the economy
is diverse, anchored by agriculture, medical, retail and the military.
Great Falls is conveniently located between America¹s two premier national
parks -- Glacier National Park, 160 miles northwest and Yellowstone National
Park, 265 miles south of Great Falls. Enjoy the extraordinary sights and
sounds that so thrilled and inspired Lewis and Clark on their expedition and
Charles M. Russell, America¹s Cowboy Artist. History will come alive as you
enjoy the Great Falls of the Missouri, Giant Springs, the Lewis & Clark
Interpretive Center, the C.M. Russell Museum, and the Ulm Pishkun Buffalo
Jump Visitor Center. All of this is set against a backdrop of fine
restaurants, hotels, casinos, city parks, and shopping malls, which make
Great Falls an ideal place to live or visit.
Great Falls has one of the best trail systems for bike riding, jogging and
walking in our "Rivers Edge Trail," which provides 30 miles of varied
terrain and scenery. A paved, wheelchair-accessible trail runs for eight
miles along the south shore of the Missouri River. Within a very short
distance from Great Falls some of the finest blue ribbon trout fishing in
the world can be found on the Missouri River in southern Cascade County.
Located at the confluence (in down town Great Falls) of the Sun and Missouri
Rivers, water and trail recreation is abundant without leaving the city.
This area of waterfalls may be viewed via a eight-mile, paved, nonmotorized
pathway known as the River¹s Edge Trail. It offers a unique experience to
walk, jog, roller blade or bike along three of the falls. There is also a
paved road with scenic turnouts where the falls can be viewed by car.
Adding to the recreation opportunities, Great Falls is a few hours drive to
Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, several national forest and
wilderness areas are within a two- to four-hour drive from the city. The
award winning River¹s Edge Trail established in 1989 begins at the
confluence of the Sun and Missouri Rivers and makes its way along the banks
of the Missouri River for over 30 miles of recreational trail open year
round to all who live and visit in Great Falls. Giant Springs Heritage State
Park is home not only to the beautiful springs, but the world¹s shortest
river, the Roe River.
For those who enjoy culture of all types, Great Falls and the surrounding
area offer a plethora of activities from art museums and events to history
and Native American culture. Great Falls annually hosts a variety of events,
such as the Montana State Fair, C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western
Art, Blues & Brews, and a number of exciting events that are many times fund
raisers for local causes in addition to just being a really good time.
Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts hosts events such as the biannual
Smuin Ballet, the annual Broadway Tour Series, and many other regional and
national performing arts with annual ticket sales of 30,000 plus to more
than 50 events. Great Falls takes pride in several talented theater groups
and a fine symphony orchestra, which has performed with guest artists such
as Yo Yo Ma, Ihtzak Perlman and Midori among others and offers a youth
orchestra program. Additionally, Great Falls is home to a number of artists,
museums, and interpretive centers such as the Russell Museum and the Lewis &
Clark Interpretive Center.
Recreation opportunities abound throughout the year in the vast Montana
landscape. Two ski areas are a short drive away. Fishing, hunting, hiking
and boating are readily accessible.
The area's public education for grades K through 12 has been consistently
rated among the best in the nation. Higher education opportunities include
Montana State University-Northern, the University of Great Falls and the
Montana State University College of Technology.
The housing values have remained very stable and the median sales price in
2008 was $147,000. The housing in Great Falls is very diverse and includes a
wide variety of styles and mix with an adequate number of apartments and
condos. Senior living is also available with several newer senior
residential complexes. Proximity to schools, parks, shopping and medical
facilities is outstanding.
Great Falls is known as the ŒElectric City¹ because of its numerous dams and
power plants. Montana¹s third largest city is located on the Missouri River
among the five falls that were both a magnificent spectacle and formidable
barrier to early river travel. This area held great significance for the
Lewis and Clark Expedition. The explorers were forced to spend nearly a
month portaging around the falls in June 1805. Much of the Missouri River in
this area remains as it was when Lewis and Clark first viewed it over 190
years ago.
Transportation facilities in Great Falls are fast, efficient and expanding.
Great Falls International Airport is called the finest terminal in the
region and offers complete customs services. The airport also has a separate
International Arrivals Terminal for transcontinental processing and a
designated Foreign Trade Zone. Allegiant, Delta, Horizon, Northwest and
United Airlines serve the city.
For more information on Great Falls, visit GreatFallsChamber.org.
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