1904 – 1904

Stumptown and the Great Northern Railway

Whitefish Montana used to fondly be known as "Stumptown". It is such a densely wooded area and the timber industry played a crucial role in the development of the town. The loggers came and crudely chopped down acres and acres of timber, leaving stumps scattered all across the town. The stumps were left in the streets causing traffic jams and making it hard to expand. The Great Northern Railway was built right through the heart of Whitefish in 1904 which created an even greater need for timber to be cleared. The railroad and the logging industries kept the town afloat and aided in a robust economy that is directly dependent on what seems like a never ending resource.

Whitefish, Montana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefish,_Montana#/media/File:Downtown-whitefish-2006.jpg

Kate Osterholtz