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The following important events in the history of Montana affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. | The following important events in the history of Montana affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. | ||
'''1803-1850s'''<nowiki>: | '''1803-1850s'''<nowiki>: The United States acquired from France the area of Montana east of the mountains.&amp;amp;nbsp;Britain relinquished its claims to the western section in 1846.&amp;amp;nbsp;Until the 1850s, Montana was the domain of Indians, explorers, fur traders, trappers, and missionaries.</nowiki> | ||
'''1841'''<nowiki>: | '''1841'''<nowiki>: Jesuit priests founded St. Mary's mission.&amp;amp;nbsp;In the 1850's this mission became the center of ranching activity in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana.</nowiki> | ||
'''1846'''<nowiki>: | '''1846'''<nowiki>: Fort Benton, the only Montana trading post to become a permanent settlement, was established on the Missouri River.</nowiki> | ||
'''1859'''<nowiki>: | '''1859'''<nowiki>: Steamboats first reached Fort Benton.</nowiki> | ||
'''1860s'''<nowiki>: | '''1860s'''<nowiki>: Montana west of the continental divide was designated Missoula County, Washington Territory, in 1860.&amp;amp;nbsp;In 1861 the unsettled eastern portion was attached to Dakota Territory.&amp;amp;nbsp;In 1863 and 1864 all of Montana was included in Idaho Territory.</nowiki> | ||
'''1862-1864'''<nowiki>: | '''1862-1864'''<nowiki>: The discovery of gold in western Montana brought an influx of miners to Bannack, Virginia City, and Helena.&amp;amp;nbsp;Many of the miners began farming and set up supply centers—such as Missoula, Deer Lodge, and Bozeman.</nowiki> | ||
'''1864'''<nowiki>: | '''1864'''<nowiki>: Montana Territory was established with nine counties.</nowiki> | ||
'''1880s'''<nowiki>: | '''1880s'''<nowiki>: Railroads first crossed Montana. The population of the territory was about 40,000.</nowiki> | ||
'''1889'''<nowiki>: | '''1889'''<nowiki>: Montana became a state.</nowiki> | ||
'''1910-1925'''<nowiki>: | '''1910-1925'''<nowiki>: The number of counties doubled from 28 to the present 56 as homesteaders moved into eastern Montana.&amp;amp;nbsp;By 1930 a cycle of drought years had driven many of the settlers from the state.</nowiki> | ||
An especially helpful source for studying the history of Montana is Merrill G. Burlingame and K. Ross Toole, Editors, ''A History of Montana'', Three Volumes. (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1957; FHL book 978.6 H2b). Volume 3 has family histories. | An especially helpful source for studying the history of Montana is Merrill G. Burlingame and K. Ross Toole, Editors, ''A History of Montana'', Three Volumes. (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1957; FHL book 978.6 H2b). Volume 3 has family histories. | ||