Chinook, Montana.gif)
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| Downtown
Chinook, Montana |
Chinook,
Montana, to be truthful, is one of my favorite towns on
the Hi-Line. Chinook probably hasn’t changed in years.
Maybe that is what I like about it. Yet, the town has avoided
the fate of some of the other Hi-Line towns due to its
relatively close proximity to Havre. So, even though the
agricultural businesses around Chinook have consolidated
and led to less people in the agricultural industry, the
town itself has managed to retain both people and its businesses
due to an influx of people who work in Havre but live in
Chinook. In other words, Chinook seems to be becoming a “suburb” of
Havre in some ways.
Chinook
has a population of around 1500 people, and is the county
seat of Blaine County. The towns’ founders had
the foresight to plan Chinook better than some of the other
towns on the Hi-Line. As such, the streets in Chinook are
lined with trees and the town boasts several nice, very large
parks (including a pool). All these trees, parks and it’s
proximity to Havre, I think, have played a big role in allowing
Chinook to avoid the fate of some of the other Hi-Line towns.
The location of Chinook is quite nice. It is located on
Highway 2, about 20 miles to the east of Havre. Local attractions
include the Blaine County Museum which highlights the history
of farming in and around the Chinook area. Other attractions
include the Bear Paw Battlefield, which is part of Nez Perce
National Historical Park and Nez Perce National Historic
Trail. The battlefield highlights the last battle between
the Nez Perce Tribe and the US Army. The battlefield is full
of educational markers and is located about 16 miles south
of town.
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| One
of Many Parks in Chinook, MT |
The
history of Chinook dates back to the arrival of the Great
Northern Railway. Back in the 1920’s, they heyday
of the agricultural industry in Montana, Chinook had a massive
Sugar Beet factory. Today, this factory is closed. Oil and
gas discoveries have also from time to time given the local
economy a boost. Yet, even today, Chinook remains a agricultural
community.
Chinook
has a very nice downtown. All the storefronts are full
and the downtown area has been nicely kept up and restored.
Numerous old homes that have been renovated are in Chinook,
adding a “touch of class” to the town in some
ways. The town is also very functional. While you won’t
find a retail box store, Chinook has all the basic stores
that a small town needs to have.
Overall,
I like Chinook. Anyone passing through town should plan
on spending some time in Chinook and venturing down
to the interesting and educational Bear Paw Battlefield.
And, unlike some other struggling Hi-Line towns, I think
Chinook has a pretty bright future, as its close proximity
to Havre will allow it to “piggyback” on its
growth, as people will undoubtedly move here seeking the
small-town quality of life that Chinook provides.
Chinook Pictures
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Paw Mountains
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