Live & Visit – Great Falls

Present day Great Falls’ original town site was first noted in the journals of Lewis and Clark in 1805 as they portaged around "the thundering Great Falls of the Missouri." The Missouri River drops 512 feet over perpendicular falls and many cascades in 10 miles within Great Falls. In 1882, Paris Gibson, a Minneapolis city planner and engineer, recognized the potential of the area's abundant resources and central location, and with the backing of railroad magnate James J. Hill, became the city's first developer. Eight years later, the first of five dams to harness the mighty Missouri was completed. Gibson's legacy was a carefully planned city incorporating 56 parks -- a heritage of beauty that makes Great Falls unique today.

Great Falls is the county seat of Cascade County and is the third largest city in Montana. Situated on the Missouri River in Central Montana, the city lies approximately 50 miles east of the Continental Divide, 120 miles south of the Canadian border and 180 miles northwest of Billings, the largest city in Montana. Great Falls encompasses an area of over 23.36 square miles with a population of 58,536 according to 2008 Census estimates.

Within a very short distance from Great Falls some of the finest blue ribbon trout fishing in the world can be found on the Missouri River in southern Cascade County. Located at the confluence (in down town Great Falls) of the Sun and Missouri Rivers, water and trail recreation is abundant without leaving the city. Adding to the recreation opportunities Great Falls is a few hours drive to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, several national forest and wilderness areas are within a two to four hour drive from the city. The award winning River’s Edge Trail established in 1989 begins at the confluence of the Sun and Missouri Rivers and makes its way along the banks of the Missouri River for over 40 miles of recreational trail open year round to all who live and visit in Great Falls. Giant Springs Heritage State Park is home not only to the beautiful springs, but the world’s shortest river (Guinness Book of World Records) the Roe River.

For those who enjoy culture of all types Great Falls and the surrounding area offer a plethora of activities from art museums and events to history and Native American culture. Great Falls annually hosts a variety of events such as the Montana State Fair, C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art, Blues & Brews, and a number of exciting events that are many times fund raisers for local causes in addition to just being a really good time. The Great Falls Voyagers are a rookie league franchise of the Chicago White Sox and play a Pioneer League Schedule that runs from June-September. Great Falls has two local theater companies in addition to fine theater departments at the local high schools and University of Great Falls that provide opportunities not only to be audience members but for locals to participate in productions. Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts hosts events such as the biannual Smuin Ballet, the annual Broadway Tour Series, and many other regional and national performing arts with annual ticket sales of 30,000 plus to more than 50 events. The Mansfield is also the home of the renowned Great Falls Symphony, which has performed with guest artists such as Yo Yo Ma, Ihtzak Perlman and Midori among others and offers a youth orchestra program. Additionally, Great Falls is home to a number of artists, museums, and interpretive centers such as the Russell Museum and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.

Known for its high standards and quality education, the Great Falls Public school system is comprised of 15 elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and one alternative high school. There are also a number of private grade schools and high schools, located in Great Falls. The Montana State School for the Deaf and Blind is located here, and is one of the finest Special Education centers in the country. Higher education opportunities include the University of Great Falls, a four-year liberal arts institution with a Master's Program; and Malmstrom Air Force Base Education Center, which offers three masters degrees in cooperation with Troy State University and five bachelors degrees from Park College. A $4 million Montana State University - College of Technology campus offers excellent post-secondary training including two-year degree and credit transfer options to the Montana University System

Great Falls, with one accredited hospital, four centers for long-term care and eight first-rate clinics, is Montana's medical center. Benefis Health Systems incorporates a number of specialty centers including the Sletten Cancer Center, MONARC Injury Center, Heart Center, and Surgical Services as well as a state of the art patient care facility. Other medical assets include several skilled Nursing Centers and Retirement Communities, Great Falls Clinic (one of the first established in the country), the McLaughlin Research Institute and a regional ambulance service encompassing both land and air.

Transportation facilities in Great Falls are fast, efficient and expanding. Great Falls International Airport is called the finest terminal in the region and offers complete customs services. The airport also has a separate International Arrivals Terminal for transcontinental processing and a designated Foreign Trade Zone. Allegiant, Delta, Horizon, Northwest and United Airlines serve the city. Other transportation needs are met by Rimrock Trailways, Great Falls Transit System bus service, and a highway system that includes Interstate 15, U.S. Highways 87 and 89 and Montana 200.

As you can see, from recreation to health care and all points in between Great Falls has a fantastic quality of life. Below are just a few of the many wonderful web sites that you can explore for more information.

Government:

Community Organizations:

Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Great Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau
Main Street Great Falls -- Privately run web site with a wealth of community information

Live & Visit – Great Falls

Government:

Community Organizations:

Education:

Healthcare:

Recreation:

Arts:

Historical Sites