|
|
|
 Polson
Montana:
This page is dedicated to the history of Polson and
this beautiful area we call home. If you have some
information that would benefit this page please send
an email to
chamber@polsonchamber.com
Polson Montana
Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake. This charming lakeside community is the trading center for one of Montana’s most fertile farming areas. In a prime cherry growing region and home to numerous cherry orchards, Polson celebrates with an annual Cherry Festival.
The broad, sweeping Mission Valley south of Polson is bordered by the rugged, snow-capped Mission Mountains. The Flathead River that flows from Polson features whitewater rafting and Kerr Dam. The National Bison Range at Moiese with its large herds of bison, elk, deer, antelope and bairn sheep is nearby, as well as the Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuges for bird watchers.
Some Polson History
Wild Horse Island was created about 17,000 years ago. Then the local Native American tribes used the Island to hide valuable steeds from the raids of their enemies. On the island the horses would be safe and protected. The primary owner of Wild Horse Island was a man named Bourke MacDonald. Later years in 1915, 905 lots located on 21 villa sites of the lakes lower half, were auctioned off by the federal government.
This was when a down payment of $18,000 was made by a man named Col. Almon A. White. This money was to purchase a large portion of Wild Horse Island. White had big dreams in mind, Col. White wanted to resell for $40-$100 an acre. Col. White hoped for hotels, auto drives, and assorted clubs.
Things did not go as planned. So in 1917 Col. White donated 3 lots, and had purchased other Montana properties, yet still ad-vertised the island as being “ a dimple on the cheek of nature”. By 1923 few villa site sales were held, resulting in bad results. So most were repossessed by the government, due to non-payment of contracts, and back taxes.
Col. Almon A. White died in 1930. Bighorn sheep where intro-duced to the Island in 1939 and 1947, due to no hunting, the sheep prosper and are well protected. As well as the five wild mustang that now inhabit Montana’s Jewl State Park. Wild Horse Island officially became a State Park between 1978 and 1979, a park over 2163 acres, 52 one acre parcels still privately owned.
A one of a kind place for hiking, with the choice of prairie or open woods country. Wild Horse Island can only be accessed by boat. Here are a few available options: Elmo fisherman’s boat launch, Lakeside, Bigfork, and places in-between. When using small boats, please use extreme caution, as Montana weather changes every few minutes, causing sudden changes in water activity. Other formal access points like SeeDoo Bay on the north side do not have portable water, or toilets available. Keep that in mind, and always be prepared!
By: Kenclena Rodriguez
|
