I moved away from Miles City in 1976 and visited at least once a year until 1988 when my parents moved here to WA. I continue to visit Billings every 2-3 years as I have a sister there and my Miles City sister has too small of an apt. to house us so she joins us in Billings. I think I was back to Miles City for a day several years ago though. When I go back so much has changed.

If I came back now, would I even recognize the place? My Dad worked at the First National Bank and I am pretty sure that is gone. My mom worked at Holy Rosary and I know that is gone. Are the schools still the same? I also used to make sure to go to Airport Inn when I returned but am told that the new one is nothing like the old one. Is Dairy Queen still out on the strip? Tempo? Buttrey's? Garbeson Clinic? What about the Gaslight?

Do you still have huge mosquitos by the millions? LOL!

It IS still out on the strip - but it's a different strip...

I think the only thing that hasn't changed is Bert Elwood. Everything else has changed.

Actually, Steve, I think Bert does have a few more gray hairs.



http://www.flickr.com/pho...392555559/

Most the schools are still the same. The old Garfield was torn down and rebuilt. Not sure when the old one was torn down, but the new one was finished in like '79 or something. The old Roosevelt building still exists for Head Start, but is no longer an elementary school. I think all the other schools would be mostly as you remember them. Not sure when Highland was built.

I don't remember which bank was First National. Was that over in the Plaza? Pretty much all the other businesses you mentioned are moved, gone, or in newer buildings. Holy Rosary was moved to a new building in 95-96. Buttrey's moved to S Haynes (the new strip) and is now an Albertsons (they bought the Buttrey's chain) Can't use the ol' 1-800-Buttrey's joke anymore.

Tempo closed so long ago I barely remember it. DQ is now on S Haynes as well, although the old barn still remains on Valley Dr E, as does the Garberson Clinic building (though as office space rather than clinic)

The Airport Inn is still good for some nostalgia, at least the food and the view are still intact. And as I was reminded today, a visit to the High School always has alot of memories. Some has changed, but mostly its still the same.

And as you can see in the background, the fine new pine paneling at the Airport Inn

In my time "First National Bank" was located on the corner of 7th and Main. It became "First Bank" and then "U.S. Bank" which it is today.

I think the bank that used to be located in the Professional Building (519 Main) may have been First National Bank but that was before my time.

- Dave

The First National moved from the 519 building in, I think, 1964. The Wibaux building burned in 1964 and First Security built their new building on the site in 1965.

Schools are much the same, as are many churches and residences. The 500 block of Main is holding its own! The Montana Theater continues as usual. So does the post office and the court house and city hall.

If you go to the right places, some things look unchanged. I try to visit some of those places regularly! I'll be at the Montana Theater tonight, for example!

"The Wibaux building burned in 1964"

So I was right:!

"And I remember it burned on a Saturday evening, Monsignor Hennesy was the mass celebrant the following morning and there were four or five Bonine kids at the time. So it should be 1964 - 66."

http://www.milescity.com/...5711#75862

As I get older, making sure my memory still works is important.

go to: http://www.nwrain.com/~ajs/Pic%201.jpg

Here, AJS:

http://www.nwrain.com/~ajs/links.htm

Looking at the postcards AJS posted a link to, the bottom postcard shows the Wibaux building with a "Dutch Paint" sign on it. Apparently the Wibaux building housed a paint store at that time.

Immediately east of the Wibaux building is another building that appears to be a single story retail store. I can't quite make out the sign on it but possibly "J.M. McDonald's Co." or "J.C. Penney Co." Anyone know what was there? Was that building demolished in the late 70's or early 80's perhaps when First Security Bank (Stockman Bank) expanded? Anyone recall?

- Dave

I think this is from the mid to late 1940s.



I've got some more postcards of Main here:
http://s221.photobucket.c.../Downtown/

This a great Picture Hal.

I believe right next to Stockhill's was Vaughn Ragsdale and across the street was Karl Johnson Co. both were clothing stores. I don't remember a Paint Store in the Wibaux Bldg. My cousin Ken Smith had a Barber shop in the back of the building near Keglers Club.

I think this is correct.

AJS

Thank you Hal! I've been looking for a photo like that all my life! Spent a lot of afternoons after school at Foster's Drugs. This is terrific!

Cheryl, I highly recommend that you get a print of Gene Larson's "7th and Main - Miles City, Montana" drawing if you can. It's a similar perspective to this postcard but closer to steet level. Foster Drugs is prominent.

Are you familiar with Gene's work? His technique is called "pointillism" and he has drawn a number of Miles City buildings/scenes. They are highly detailed drawings. I really like his work.

At one time his prints were available at Kafe Utza in Miles City and I think they had some at the Bohemian Art Gallery that is upstairs in the Discovery Pond store on Main St.

I know Gene checks in here once in a while so maybe he can tell you if one is available and where.

- Dave

I have one for you - the BASEMENT of First National / First Bank / US Bank is pretty much intact. My grandmother, Louise Tucker, used to work there with your father way back when. I think maybe you baby-sat me at one time? My parents are Pam and (the late) Richard Jacobsen. I know your sister did - she reminds me she changed my diapers every time I see her! 'Course I'm late 30's now. I remember some sort of "creature" an alligator? crocodile? maybe with some silly hat downstairs in First National by where maybe your Dad and Edith used to be. I called him "George" I think.

Anyways, I was just downstairs in the "brand room" a few weeks ago and oh my gosh talk about stepping into a time capsule! Even the same wallpaper, carpet and chairs I swear!

Stefanie (Jacobsen) Pickering

The Bison Bar hasn't changed much, although it is now occasionally referred to as the "Buffalo Tavern".

I've posted these links before in other threads, but here they are again for those who are new to mc.com. They're odds & ends of postcards and photos of Miles.

The first link under each heading is to the album of individual images - the second link is a slideshow the same images.

Downtown & Main Street
http://s221.photobucket.c.../Downtown/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Hospitals, Schools, & Churches
http://s221.photobucket.c...0Churches/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Government and Municipal Structures
http://s221.photobucket.c...Municipal/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Businesses & Buildings
http://s221.photobucket.c...Buildings/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Street Scenes
http://s221.photobucket.c...%20Scenes/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Depots & Warehouses
http://s221.photobucket.c...arehouses/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Bridges
http://s221.photobucket.c...y/Bridges/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Fort Keogh
http://s221.photobucket.c...t%20Keogh/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Radar Base
http://s221.photobucket.c...ar%20Base/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Miscellaneous Part 1
http://s221.photobucket.c...0Part%201/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Miscellaneous Part 2
http://s221.photobucket.c...0Part%202/

http://s221.photobucket.c...=slideshow
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The photos are wonderful. Thank you for posting them.

Those photos really makes a person realize that change happens and will continue to do so! We hate to see it, a little piece seems to die in us(me), when it does, but on life goes. I would guess nobody in the day lamented the day that the streets were paved, but then maybe some did?

I had not seen the inside of the Met Cafe since I was a child (until I saw the postcard in one of Hal's photo links this morning). That postcard reminded me of how enthralled I was with the light fixtures in the cafe. They seemed so futuristic and always made me think of the Jetsons (my favorite cartoon at the time). I desire to have one of those fixtures in my kitchen (my wife would not share that desire, but then she never ate at the Met as a child).

I like walking into the 600 cafe or the Olive Hotel and others, when I come back to visit. They seem relatively unchanged over the years, at least for someone my age. Kind of like an adult binky, they say to me "We're still here, we always will be, come on in".

I've never gotten a room at the Olive, should do that next time we are back, just to be able to say "been there, done that".

the underpass still floods, and semis still get stuck under there

one thing that has not been posted here yet as far as the schools are concerned is the fact that Sacred Heart no longer has a high school, of course...the grade school is now in the high school building and has been for a little over 20 years now. The former grade school is now a parish center...

...speaking of which, during the past week I visited the school a couple times with one of my daughters...I was glad to see that Principal Freese and company still have it going.

I didn't grow up here but I love the history of the town. Looking at the pictures it is too bad that we couldn't bring some of the old street lamps back and a few other things. It would be neat but I realize that would probably cost too much money. I know if we could go back in time sometime. What it is is just what it is. I still love it though.

Actually, replacing those ugly highway lights with vintage style lights in a very good possibility. We are working on it. With grant funding, they aren't that expensive to the city.

The Oldest part of Holy Rosary Hospital was turned into The Cornerstone Apartments. It's a low to medium income complex. They did a nice job on it. They did tear down the "newest" part though, and that is a parking lot, playground, and grassy area.

The last post about Holy Rosary Hospital reminded me of what used to be in the 700 block of South Strevell between Comstock and Brisbin. In the late 60's I remember riding my bike / tricycle along the sidewalk and noticing there was concrete steps and path up to what would have been a building, but the lot was empty. Anyone remember?

Rich, I believe you're referring to the Darcy Hospital. It's been discussed on the forums a few times, here's one:

http://www.milescity.com/...fpid=16166

Don:

Thank you for the mention of my "7th and Main - Miles City, Montana"
illustration. I've been offline for a few days. Anyway, this print and others are still available at Kafe Utza, The Loft Gallery (Discovery Pond), Riggs Camera and Gifts, or through me. The amount of prints are depleting and no more likely will be available after they're gone.

And I'm still excited about preserving more history of Miles City. I've just completed "ECONOMY GROCERY" which was next to the post office, "SUNSET DRIVE-IN", and am about to complete the Opera House which was located at 6th and Pleasant Streets. Don't know when (or if) the latest ones will be made into prints, people generally seem to be losing interest in historic images. But that won't stop my passion for creating them. Thank you all who care!!

Gene

OOOPS! Did I say "Don?" I meant DAVE! DAVID!! Sorry! (Wake up, Larson)!

Gene

We used to refer to the Darcy Hospital as "The Haunted House". It seems to me it was surrounded by big old cotton woods, grass and maybe even sagebrush.