Havre,
Montana : A Guide.gif)
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| Downtown
Havre, Montana |
Havre
is the largest town on the Montana Hi-Line, with a population
of 9600 people, and serves as the retail and business hub
of the area. Havre is located more or less “midway” down
the Hi-Line. Because of this, Havre is a popular stop for
travelers – especially since it is only about 3 hours
away from Glacier
National Park. Additionally, unlike many
other Hi-Line towns where US Highway 2 manages to avoid
the downtown areas, in Havre, the highway plows right through
town. As such, visitors to the Hi-Line area will get a
first-hand look at the downtown area.
And happily, Havre has a pretty nice downtown. Most of the
buildings in the downtown area have been restored and renovated
to some degree. The downtown and residential areas outside
of it are also full of trees, reflecting the foresight by
previous town leaders of Havre.
Havre
has avoided the population decline problem that has befallen
many of the other communities on the Hi-Line. There
are several reasons for this. First, its central location
on the Hi-Line has allowed the town to function as the business
hub of the region, attracting regional businesses (not just
town specific ones) that serve the whole area.
Secondly,
the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has a major rail
yard in town, providing many well paying jobs. Havre is
also the location of Montana State University-Northern,
the only
College in the Hi-Line area. As such, Havre has developed
a diversified economy that most of the other Hi-Line towns
in Montana have not been able to develop.
And
finally, Havre’s
central location on the Hi-Line has led to some growth in
businesses that cater to the passing motorist and tourists
who are on their way to Glacier National Park and other areas
in Montana.
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| Great
Northern Railway Steam Engine at the Train Station |
Havre
has a sizable business district, both in the downtown area
and on the towns edges. The downtown area is full of
local businesses that provide one service or another. The
downtown area also has a great movie theatre called the Cottonwood
Cinemas, a 4-plex. While it doesn’t look like much
on the outside, the theatre has been recently renovated on
the inside, with some of the theatres having stadium seating – something
that is highly unique on the Hi-Line.
More
businesses are located on the perimeter of the town, particularly
on the western side along US Highway 2. Here
you’ll find a very small shopping mall, the usual assortment
of fast food joints and restaurants that cater to the passing
motorist, as well as the only big box store on the Hi-Line,
a Super K-Mart.
Many people first see Havre from the train. Havre is the
second busiest Amtrak stop in Montana. Because the train
has a re-fueling stop in town, the train generally lays over
for at least 20-30 minutes, giving people on the train time
to get out and explore a bit. Located right at the train
station in Havre is a beautiful Great Northern Railway Steam
Engine. Anyone who likes railroad history will most definitely
want to take a look at it, as the engine is in perfect condition.
Contrary
to popular belief, Havre actually has a pretty nice location
for people who like outdoor recreation. Granted,
people just passing through on US Highway 2 are unlikely
to notice it. But, for the more adventurous, there is no
shortage
of outdoor activities just outside of Havre.
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| The
Milk River just outside of Havre |
The angler will find quality trout fishing in Beaver Creek,
Bear Paw Reservoir and Beaver Creek Reservoir, all of which
are located south of town in and around the Bears Paw Mountains.
The Milk
River also passes through town and can provide for
some decent warm water fishing in spots. And Fresno Reservoir,
located about 15 miles to the northeast of town, has excellent
fishing for Northern Pike.
Hunters will also find some great places to hunt around
town. The Bears Paw Mountains have excellent deer and elk
hunting, as do the nearby Sweet Grass Hills. Additionally,
the vast fields around Havre provide excellent upland bird
hunting.
Additionally, a small ski area called Bears Paw Ski Area
is also located in the Bears Paw Mountains and is open on
the weekends when there is enough snow.
Overall, Havre is a pretty nice little town that sits in
the middle of the Hi-Line region. The town has a diversified
economy, a university and a good location for people who
like outdoor recreation. Moreover, like other Hi-Line towns,
the costs of living are low - with housing prices being very
reasonable - and far less than what is found in the mountainous
areas of the state.
To see
more photographs of Havre, visit the Havre
Photo Gallery,
too
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