Emily Ann Mayer Books

With the establishment of Fort Assiniboine in Montana Territory in 1879, the development of Hill County has progressed from the wild frontier to modern communities without losing the true Western spirit. The arrival of the St. Paul, Manitoba, and Minneapolis Railroad, the precursor to the Great Northern Railroad, coupled with the Homestead Act, brought many settlers to the area. With their determination and talents, Hill County was carved in 1912 from Chouteau County and has seen both good times and bad. When Prohibition was passed, Hill County's proximity to Canada allowed for the booze to flow. Some made their fortunes in illegal trade, such as Christopher "Shorty" Young. Others chose a different route, becoming merchants, delving in agricultural related fields, or working on the railroad.

Tucked in a valley on the banks of the Milk River, Havre's history is incredibly diverse. It was populated first by American Indian tribes, who lived here for centuries and successfully lived off what the land, waters, and skies could provide. White settlers and other ethnic groups came later, bringing with them their own ways of life. Ladies and gentlemen arrived, looking for opportunities to build a new life and working to smooth out the rough reputation Havre had earned during its early days. Vice and virtue worked and lived alongside each other to create the largest community on Montana's Hi-Line.