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The area now known as Glacier County became a part of the United States in 1803 when
President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the "Louisiana Purchase" deal with France. The land
was then occupied by the Blackfeet Indians who had moved down from the Saskatchewan area
of Canada sometime after 1730.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition entered Montana in 1805 but it was not until July of 1806
when Captain Meriwether Lewis led a small team up the North Fork of the Marias River, (now
known as the Cut Bank River) into what has become Glacier County.
Due to conflicts with the Blackfeet Tribe few pioneers ventured into this territory. Only
a few trappers and fur traders found it worth while to face the hardships to survive here. As
time went on more interest was found in mining, farming and ranching. This interest was
eventually focused towards the now Glacier County.
Oil was first discoverd in Montana in 1864, however it was not
until 1902 when a copper miner "Sam Somes" accidentally found oil
in the Swift Current Creek region. A few more wells were drilled in the
area but then interest was lost until the 1920's when a large oil strike
near Shelby revived the interest again. By 1931 a well in Cut Bank was
into production and by the mid 1930's the Cut Bank field was doing
extremely well and went on to become Montana's top ranking oil field in
1936. While most of the oil industry in Montana suffered during the
depression the Cut Bank field held on and managed to increase it's
oil production. There are still many oil wells standing in Glacier County
and although production has dropped off considerably, many are still
in operation.
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The Railroad played a great part in the overall
development of Glacier County. The railroad moved into Montana
in the late 1800's to compliment the mining and livestock
industries and was into our area around 1890. Cut Bank became
a vital part to the Railroad as the river provided the much needed
water for the operation of the steam locomotives. A "Round
House" was constructed here in order to turn around the big
"Mallets" that were used here for the sole purpose of pulling
the trains back and forth across the mountians. The Railroad also
had a big roll in the development and operation of the oil industry,
and still has a big part in the farming operations.
When Montana was divided into counties in 1865 we were then a part of Chouteau
County, with Fort Benton as our County seat. In 1893 Chouteau County was split up and we became
a part of Teton County and the town of Choteau was the County seat. (Note: A difference in
spelling of Chouteau County and the town of Choteau.)
Teton County was divided again in 1919 and Glacier County was formed. After a much
heated battle and election Cut Bank won the County seat position over Browning.
More detailed information on Glacier County can be found by visiting the web sites of the