Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Missoula County Courthouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

1. Missoula County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. The Neoclassical style sandstone Missoula County Courthouse was designed by prominent local architect A. J. Gibson, and erected 1908-1910. Inside the copper-domed clock tower hangs a two-ton bell, and a notable interior decoration is the series of eight historical murals for the main, south entrance, commissioned from Missoulian Edgar S. Paxson for a fee of $1,000. Missoula County is one of Montana’s oldest political subdivisions, organized in 1860 as the section of Washington Territory extending from about the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains eastward to the crest of the Rocky Mountains. Subsequently, the county was in Idaho Territory (1863) and finally Montana Territory (1864). Missoula’s original county seat was at Hell’s Gate, four miles west of here, until 1865, when Higgins and Worden moved their store to the site of the current city. Their saw mill and grist mill, plus the store of Bonner and Welsh, led county commissioners to move the seat of government here in 1866. The original courthouse stood on this site, but had become too small by 1907.

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 46° 52.388′ N, 113° 59.764′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. It is on West Broadway Street near Ryman Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West Broadway Street, Missoula MT 59802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Glacier Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Missoula County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lenox Flats (within shouting

Missoula County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2019

2. Missoula County Courthouse

distance of this marker); The Palace Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Studebaker Building (about 500 feet away); Dixon-Duncan Block (about 700 feet away); St. Francis Xavier Church (about 800 feet away); Gleim Building (about 800 feet away); Apartment Building at 116 West Spruce (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Mid-distant view of the Courthouse and marker. • Can you help?