Presentation looks at peculiar attractions along Montana's highways

Plenty of Montana’s exciting history is visible from its highways, according to Jon Axline, historian for the Montana Department of Transportation. 

He will recount tales of some of those places during the monthly meeting of the Northwest Montana Westerners Monday, Oct. 21, in Kalispell. 

Among other subjects, Axline will delve into the history of the Bozeman Trail, the famed Smith Mine near Bearcreek, Montana’s Cold War radar stations, historically significant roads and bridges in the state, and giant grasshoppers. 

He will also reveal the secrets of the stone chimney south of Havre and the concrete structure built into the hillside between Logan and Three Forks. And he will discuss the curious characters connected to historic sites. 

Montana history is much more than vigilantes, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and copper kings, he notes. 

Axline is the interpretive marker coordinator for the department. In addition, he has also written and co-authored eight books on state history. 

The presentation starts at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the museum, at 124 2nd Ave. East in Kalispell. Cost is $5 for the general public, with members and youths under 16 admitted free.