Big Prairie (Montana) facts for kids
Big Prairie, Montana is a beautiful open meadow area. You can find it on the east side of the North Fork of the Flathead River. This special place is located inside Glacier National Park in Flathead County, Montana. It sits about 3,625 feet (1,105 m) above sea level.
Long ago, in the early 1900s, Big Prairie was a small community. About 19 families built their homes, called homesteads, here. Today, it's no longer a settlement, but its history lives on.
What is Big Prairie?
Big Prairie is a wide, flat area covered in grass and plants. It's like a natural clearing in the middle of the forest. This makes it a great spot for wildlife to gather. You might even see deer or elk grazing here! Its location within Glacier National Park means it's part of a protected and wild environment.
A Look Back: Early Settlers
In the early 20th century, people came to Big Prairie to build new lives. These brave individuals were called homesteaders. They claimed land and worked hard to build farms and homes. They created a small community in this remote part of Montana. Imagine living in such a wild and beautiful place, far from cities!
Historic Places in Big Prairie
Many of the old homesteads in Big Prairie are very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect places that have a lot of history. These sites tell us about the lives of the early settlers and how they lived in this area.
Some of the historic homesteads and lodges include:
- Margaret McCarthy Homestead
- J. K. Miller Homestead
- William Raftery Homestead
- Anton Schoenberger Homestead
- Charlie Schoenberger Homestead
- Johnnie Walsh's Guest Lodge
- Johnnie Walsh Homestead
These places help us remember the people who lived here long ago. They show us how Big Prairie grew from a wild meadow into a small community. Today, it's a quiet and historic part of Glacier National Park.
