Colstrip is known as the "energy capital of Montana" and was born in 1924 when the Northern Pacific Railroad started mining coal nearby to fuel their steam locomotives. During this time Colstrip consisted of 63 homes, a schoolhouse (now a museum and visitor center), two churches, a mess hall, and a boarding house. But once the railroads switched from coal to diesel fuel, the mine closed and Colstrip was left nearly abandoned. But when Montana Power Company purchased the mine as well as the town site of Colstrip things turned around! In 1968, a subsidiary of MPC, Western Energy Company, started to mine and just a few years later construction on the power plant began.
Today, Colstrip is a quiet community with just under 2,000 citizens and 22 parks. A waterslide at the Community Center entertains kids (and adults) of all ages Memorial Day through Labor Day. And don't forget The Schoolhouse History & Art Center, the original schoolhouse built in 1924. This old building now serves as the visitor center, an art gallery, and also provides tours of the coal mine from May to October. One the edge of town is Castle Rock Lake, where fishermen from across the state flock to catch wall-eye and bass. The lake is surrounded by bike paths and picnic areas for more summer fun.
40th Annual Kyi-Yo (Missoula)
(April 18 - 20, 2008)
Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead Spring Show - (Kalispell)
(April 19 - 20, 2008)
Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale: Cello Passion - (Billings)
(April 19, 2008)
Annual Helena Railroad Fair (Helena)
(April 27, 2008)
2008 Ice Breaker Road Race (Great Falls)
(April 27, 2008)
Taste the Best of Bigfork (Bigfork)
(April 28, 2008)
For more information on events in Montana visit our Events page.