The River Hub - Craig, Montana
The United States enjoys an abundant supply of navigable waterways. From north to south and east to west, rivers driven by gravity make efficient bulk shipping from ocean ports to inland metropolitan areas possible. In the late 1800’s, railways extended shipping ports’ reach by linking rural America with trains.
CRAIG, MONTANA - Est., 1888
James Jerome Hill, primary stockholder and president of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway (StPM&M), established the Montana Central Railway on January 25, 1886. Few railroads served Montana then. Butte and Helena needed to get their newfound gold and silver riches to market. Canadian coal companies were eager to get their fuel to Montana smelters. James Hill's plans included building StPM&M across northern Montana and building a north-south railroad through central Montana to connect Great Falls with Helena and Butte.
Railroad tracks fit the Missouri River’s smooth stream banks perfectly and provided a direct north-south route. Montana Central Railway built upon this natural feature. Along the way, they chose the Township of Craig as a central staging zone between Great Falls and Helena. Starting in 1887, steam engines came to a slow stop in front of Block 1 Lot 1 and took on water from the tower next to the tracks. In 1888, trains delivered covered wagons to Craig Mercantile located on the property. On September 18, 1889, Hill changed the name of the Minneapolis and St. Cloud Railway to the Great Northern Railway. History followed.
Homesteaders helped build the township of Craig into a small business district located in the heart of the wild west. Sterling Ranch Company loaded their livestock onto cattle cars headed towards larger markets. Craig Mercantile received hardware and groceries and distributed them locally. Next door, The Hub Saloon entertained guests in an authentic, old western style, dance hall. Dearborn Crossing, the local stagecoach stop, no longer greeted covered wagons and suspiciously burned to the ground.
Craig, Montana - Adventure, Danger, Romance and a few fish.
Steam Engines rolled on the river trail for a century. Now, Fly Fishermen walk the empty rails.
