Lake County is a rural area of communities, including the fast-growing community of Pablo, seat of Tribal government and the location of Salish Kootenai College. Read more about the Communities of Lake County.
Arlee
Arlee was founded and its post office was established in 1885, serving as the trade center for the people of Jocko Valley and the Flathead Indian Reservation. 'Arlee' comes from the English spelling of the Indian word 'Alee', which means 'red night'.
The chief of the Flathead Indians, Charlo, had refused to conform with the treaty of 1855 at Grass Valley. Despite Charlo's decree, the Indians decided to choose another leader, Alee. So the small community was named after the Indian leader.
Big Arm
Big Arm is located on the 'Big Arm' of Flathead Lake. The first post office was opened in 1911 with Marion F. Lamb as the postmaster.
Charlo
Charlo was first named Big Flat, then Charlotte, and later Charlo, in honor of Chief Charlo of the Flatheads. He was one of the few chiefs who refused to sign Special Commissioner James A. Garfield's order on August 27, 1872, removing all Indians of the region to the Jocko reservation. In a diary of a Stevensville High School student, Johnny Chilcott's grandfather quoted: 'The Indians all left this morning, poor souls, it was sad to see them. They took their horses, packed some wagons, took their cattle and all their belongings." The war blanket of Chief Charlo was given to Johnny's grandfather, Lee Bass. Chief Charlo refused for many years to leave this beloved valley of the Bitterroot and pleaded with the government agencies to let him stay. Finally he had to go and was defeated in peace. The Charlo post office was established in 1918 with Pontus Haegg as postmaster.
Elmo
Elmo is situated on the 'big arm' of the Flathead Lake on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The first post office was established in 1911 with Aaron Stuckman as postmaster.
Elmo is the site of the Standing Arrow Powwow during the third weekend of July. It is a good opportunity to see Native American culture through dancing, drumming, and stick games.
Dayton
Dayton is on the west shore of Flathead Lake, the perfect spot to embark for Wild Horse Island. Enjoy the outdoors at Lake Mary Ronan State Park, only 6 miles from Dayton. It is popular place to fish, especially for kokanee salmon. Sample the unique taste of Montana grapes at the Mission Mountain Winery.
Dixon
Dixon was formerly known as Jocko City , but was renamed in honor of Governor Joseph Dixon. The first post office was established in 1904 with Charlie Shelledy as postmaster. Dixon was a division point of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Pablo
Pablo is the headquarters for the Flathead Indian Reservation and lies at the base of the Mission Mountains south of Flathead Lake. The reservation is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Tribes and the Salish-Kootenai Community College. Of special interest are the Ninepipe and Pablo Wildlife Refuges, Arlee Powwow in early July and Elmo Powwow in July.
Polson
Polson is the south end sentinel of Flathead Lake . It is the site of the County seat of Lake County and it serves a population of over 21,000. Polson is located in the spectacular Mission Valley and is part of a 1.2 million acre Indian Reservation.
The city was named after pioneer rancher David Polson. Polson was the first settlement on the lake, being founded in 1840. With no roads in place, steamboats played a major part in early transportation of freight and passengers. Incorporated in 1910, the town has a history of lumbering, ranching and steamboats.
Today, Polson is a modern community with shopping, hospitals, schools, medical and dental facilities, a convention center, a regional airport, fine restaurants, motels, and guest ranches. The Lake and Mission Mountains provide impressive scenery for this community that lies nestled in this beautiful valley.
A short drive north along the East Shore highlights beautiful cherry orchards, many of which offer roadside stands. Or try picking some of your own cherries in late July!
Also in Polson, you'll find a Historical Museum that offers many displays and memorabilia. Or enjoy one of the several parks located on the Lake . The Polson Golf Course is a quality course where golfers enjoy the longest season in western Montana , and it is open to the public.
Ravalli
Ravalli takes its name from the Jesuit missionary, Father Anthony Ravalli; who came to minister to the Indians in the Bitterroot Valley at Saint Mary's Mission . Originally fur traders established trading posts in the area. The Hudson Bay Company built Fort Connah in 1847 and it is still visible at the historical marker, 11 miles north of Ravalli along Highway 93. Northwest of Ravalli is the National Bison Range.
Ronan
Ronan is located in the scenic Mission Valley between Flathead Lake and Missoula. This small town offers a great community golf course and area history at the Garden of the Rockies Museum.
Ronan was named after Major Peter Ronan, the first to write a history of the Flathead Indians and the first Indian agent for the Flatheads. The area around Ronan was once part of the Flathead Reservation until 1910, when it was opened for non-native settlement. People settled in starting farms and irrigating the land.
Saint Ignatius
St. Ignatius is located in the center of the Flathead Indian Reservation, just south of Ronan, home of a reservation sub-agency. It was named after Saint Ignatius of Loyala, a Spanish priest who founded the Society of Jesus. Now a historic landmark, Saint Ignatius Mission was once a Roman Catholic Mission, founded in 1854 by Fathers DeSmet, Hoecken, and Menestry; all of which were Jesuits. This beautiful landmark was built with local materials by Indians and missionaries in 1891.
There are 58 murals in all, painted on the walls and ceiling were designed and painted by brother Joseph Carignano, the mission cook. The original chapel, built in 1854, located next to the mission church.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake was named for the swans that visited often along the banks and for an early resident, Emmett Swan. The first post office was established 1915 and closed in 1960 with the first postmaster in charge being, Albert Millett.
|
