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Missoula, Montana

Located in Missoula County, Montana, Missoula was established in 1860. Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It is set near Missoula. The 1910 Big Blowup was one of the largest wildfires in American history.
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Founded 1860 | Population 77,000 | Peak 77,000 (2024) | County Missoula County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Missoula, Montana

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1860 Founded: Five valleys junction.
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1893 UM Founded: University of Montana.
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1910 Big Blowup: Massive wildfire burns 3 million acres.
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1910 Economic Development: Missoula grew through the automobile industry.
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2000 Outdoor Hub: Progressive college town.
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Latest News in Missoula

Jan 13, 2016
Court Rules Montanas Big Mountain Jesus Can Stay
Whitefish, Montana – On January 13, 2016, a federal court delivered a decision that kept a towering statue of Jesus Christ perch…

Complete Historical Timeline

1860 Culture
Founded
1893 Culture
UM Founded
1910 Disaster
Big Blowup
1910 Industry
Economic Development
2000 Culture
Outdoor Hub

Did You Know?

1
Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It is set near Missoula.
2
The 1910 Big Blowup was one of the largest wildfires in American history.
3
Montana's second-largest city and a progressive outdoor haven.
4
Missoula is located in Missoula County, Montana.
5
Missoula was founded in 1860.

Famous People from Missoula, Montana

DL
David Lynch
Screenwriter, Photographer · Born Jan 20, 1946 · Died Jan 16, 2025 (age 78)
BS
Brian Schmidt
Astronomer, Physicist · Born Feb 24, 1967 · Age 59
JR
Jeannette Rankin
Politician, Social Worker · Born Jun 11, 1880 · Died May 18, 1973 (age 92)
JF
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Oct 22, 1975 · Age 50
DC
Dana Carvey
Screenwriter, Comedian · Born Jun 2, 1955 · Age 70

Other Cities in Montana

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B
Billings
Pop. 119,000
GF
Great Falls
Pop. 60,000
B
Bozeman
Pop. 56,000
H
Helena
Pop. 32,091
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