Columbia Falls paid $3,900 to secure the Montana Veterans Home

This is a brief history of how Columbia Falls was selected as the site for the Montana State Veterans Home. Information has been gleaned from several newspaper articles published at the time, documenting the process.

Discussions started in the Montana State Legislature in 1893 to establish a Soldiers Home for veterans in need. The Helena Evening Herald reported on Feb 11, 1893, that Senate bill No. 23, an act establishing a Soldiers’ Home for the State of Montana, passed that body by a nearly unanimous vote and is now before the House. The proposed Home is named in the constitution as one of the charitable institutions authorized and to be provided for by the State. Without division, the veterans favor the establishment of the projected Home, and public sentiment is strong and pronounced in its support.

Many locations across the state submitted site proposals for consideration. These locations included: Helena, Alhambra, Bozeman, Missoula, Fort Maginnis near Lewistown, White Sulphur Springs, Hunter’s Hot Springs in Park County, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls.

The House then passed a bill, which stated in part:

Be enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Montana.

Section 2. The object of the Soldiers’ Home shall be to provide a home for all honorably discharged Union soldiers, sailors or marines who served in the army or navy of the United States during the late civil war, Mexican or Indian wars, and the volunteers who served in the Indian wars of the western states who are now, or who may hereafter become citizens of the state of Montana who, by reason of wounds, disease, old age or infirmities are in the judgment of commission here in after provided for, unable to earn their own living, and have no adequate means of support.

Sec. 3. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint, by and with the consent of the senate, six citizens of the State, to constitute a commission for said soldiers’ home … At least four members of the said commission shall preferably be honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, or marines.

Sec. 4. Said commission shall have the right, on behalf of the State to accept donations of land or money, or other valuables. All titles to land, and improvements thereon, shall be vested in the name of the State.

As stated in the Independent-Record in Helena, Friday, June 21, 1895:

“The people of Columbia Falls offer $3,900 in money, together with 40 acres of land donated by the Northern International Improvement company. This land is located within two miles of the town and has plenty of water. The Columbia Falls people may offer other sites when the board visits their town.”

The Columbian reported on Thursday, July 25, 1895, that the commissioners viewed the sites around Columbia Falls.

“Yesterday, Commander R. E. Fisk, Col. P. R. Dolman, Dr. C. B. Miller, and Lyman Loring, four of the commissioners appointed to select a site for the state soldiers’ home, arrived in Columbia Falls and were met at the depot by a committee of ex-soldier citizens. In the afternoon, the commissioners were driven in a carriage to the east side, where the growing crops, small fruits, and the products of this valley were seen in their growing state. They visited Badrock Canyon and several sites in that vicinity.

“This morning, the members visited several sites on the west side, within two miles of Columbia Falls. At noon, they left for Kalispell, going by the beautiful east side.

“All members were impressed with the fitness of Flathead for such an institution and are giving more than ordinary attention to the attractions.”

Columbia Falls later increased its site proposal acreage as noted in the Independent-Record, August 7, 1895:

“The Soldiers’ Home Commission received two new propositions yesterday. Helena tendered 55 acres of Lowlands farm, and Columbia Falls increased its offer of 40 acres to 160 acres…Columbia Falls also agreed, in addition to giving land, to put in pumping works and a tank, free of cost.”

Finally, in August, the commission announced its selection for the Montana Soldiers Home, as reported in the Great Falls Weekly Tribute, August 9, 1895:

“The gentlemen appointed to select a site for the Montana soldiers’ home have performed the duty assigned them and thus concluded their labors. The commission made a personal inspection of each site offered, listened to the arguments of those who were interested, and then came to the conclusion that, consulting the interests of all concerned, the offer made by the people of Columbia Falls was the most satisfactory, and it was accepted by unanimous vote. There can be no question but that the selection is a most desirable one, and now that this preliminary has been settled, the work of building can go ahead, and the deserving veterans of the state who are entitled to do so will soon be enjoying the benefits of the home.”

Rejoicing in Columbia Falls was noted by the Independent-Record, August 9, 1895. When the news reached the citizens on Aug. 8 of Columbia Falls being chosen as the location for the soldiers’ home, “a celebration was started as enthusiastic as was ever held, bells were ringing and anvils sounding.