Looking for things to do and see in Missoula? Outdoor recreation, arts, and culture, attractions, historic buildings, and museums are all part of Missoula, and there’s always something to do in the city.
Over the last decade, Missoula has earned a place in the hearts of many YouTube fans. One reason for that is one of Missoula’s most famous residents is Hank Green of the Vlogbrothers channel. He first appeared on Youtube sending bi-daily vlogs to his brother, who is the author of The Fault in Our Stars, John Green.
Now, Missoula acts as Hank’s center of operations where he hosts other YouTube stars and runs DFTBA Records (2291 West Broadway, Suite #6, Missoula).
Other notable Missoula folk include Jeannette Rankin (first woman in Congress); Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway; actor, Dana Carvey; writer and filmmaker, David Lynch; biologist, Leroy Hood; and the Native American poet, James Welch.
A Brief History
The history of Missoula, Montana begins about 12,000 years ago, which marked the end of the Glacial Lake Missoula and resulting floods. Native Americans inhabited the area from 3500 BCE on.
Western exploration began with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806.
Missoula was first permanently settled in 1860. Initially, Missoula was a trading post that was set up to meet the projected railway expansion into the west. By 1872, the city was established with 66 buildings.
Railroad construction and timber mills have kept Missoula growing at a steady pace since 1920. The dense forests and forest industry made Missoula the perfect spot for the headquarters of the United States Forest Service, who started training smokejumpers in the area beginning in 1942.
During the 1930s, Missoula began to expand by adding several modern projects to its infrastructures, like an airport, University of Montana buildings, the Orange Street Bridge and several schools.
Today, logging no longer employs the town of Missoula, but the Missoula Downtown Association has stepped in to keep the city alive with culture, University life, and contemporary businesses.
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