WELCOME ABOARD! |
The Monarch-Neihart Historical Group is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that was formed November 2012 to raise funds, and to preserve and promote the rich history of the settlers, miners, loggers and railroad industry in this region. Current work focuses on the old Monarch Great Northern Train Depot as a first restored asset to our scenic area. Our plan is for this depot to be a repository for written, oral, and artifact history to our region.
We hope you hop on board and take a ride around to learn more about our history, and the progress we are making on our projects.
We hope you hop on board and take a ride around to learn more about our history, and the progress we are making on our projects.
Great Northern Section House
We are pleased to announce that we are going to begin restoring a Great Northern Section house.
Read our press release and this article from the Great Falls Tribune for more details about this project. |
PRESS RELEASE
Restoration of Great Northern Railway Section house DATE: October 27, 2023 The Monarch Neihart Historical Group, Inc (MNHG), a 501 (c)(3) corporation, has accepted a donation up to $30,000 from the Grey Family Foundation of California for the restoration of a Great Northern Railway section house in Monarch, Montana. The section house will be an addition to the MNHG railyard which contains the 1901 Great Northern Depot, the 1902 Northern Pacific Drover Car Caboose, and the Great Northern privy. All three structures have been restored and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To honor the life of Steve Severance and his connection to Logging Creek and the Monarch-Neihart area in the Little Belt Mountains, the Severance, White, and Grey families, through the Grey Family Foundation will provide the initial funding to launch this project. MNHG is raising an additional $20,000 to complete the restoration. The original construction plans have been provided by the Great Northern Railway Historical Society and will serve as a guide during restoration. The rejuvenation of the building serves as a reminder of the families who settled in the Monarch area in the early 20th Century and who were connected with Great Falls through the railroad. Steve’s grandparents build a summer cabin at Logging Creek in 1927. Steve spent many summers there and dearly loved this area of Montana. Logging Creek had been pivotal to Steve’s family: his wife, children, and grandchildren, who he taught about the Little Belt Mountains, nature, fishing, gun safety, and how families thrive with each other. Now the third and fourth generations use and enjoy the cabin creating a lasting connection to the area. Section houses were often seen across the northern tier of the country when the Great Northern Railway ran from Chicago to Seattle. They were built in areas where no accommodations were available for railroad workers who needed a place to shelter and prepare meals. Specialized workers were brought in for equipment repairs and in Monarch, the train arrived Monday and Wednesday and returned to Great Falls Tuesday and Thursday. The section house was used by train crews on Monday and Wednesday nights. The first train to Monarch was the Montana Central Railway, a division of the Great Northern, arriving in October 1890 to haul ore from the many lead and silver mines to Great Falls for processing. The rail line to Neihart was completed in November 1891. The last train to both towns ran in 1945. The section house, donated by the Stober Family, will be moved from private property to MNHG property and placed on a new foundation. The roof needs repairs and shingles, new windows and doors, and a new floor is needed. Walls and ceilings will be repaired and electricity and insulation will be added. Anyone wishing to help fund this restoration or other MNHG projects can send a donation to MNHG, PO Box 924, Monarch, MT 59463. |
Watch this very interesting and informative interview with Hugh and Janet Enloe explaining the history and timeline of preserving the Great Northern Depot:
We Want Your Photos!
Do you have old photos of Monarch, Hughesville, Barker, Carpenter Creek or Neihart that you are willing to share with MNHG? Photos can be scans of buildings, people, scenery, wildlife or whatever. If so, please contact us. THANKS SO MUCH!