Introduction

When the territorial legislature met for the first time, they created a modest nine counties for Montana Territory. Over the course of the next sixty years, that number exploded to the fifty-six that we have now. As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century a number of these counties, and many towns within them, are planning to celebrate centennials - or 100th birthdays. In commemoration of the upcoming birthdays and in recognition of the counties established earlier, the Montana Historical Society has launched the Montana County History Initiative dedicated to investigating the creation and development of our counties throughout Montana's history. The emphasis of the following Wiki pages is to describe the evolution of Montana's political boundaries, the local governments and cultures they represent, and their meaning for Montanans. What better way to do so than exploring the creation of the state’s fifty-six counties. As part of that initiative, we are happy to introduce the Montana County History section of the Montana History Wiki.

Table of Contents

I.   The History of County Creation

II.  Montana by the Numbers

III.  Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (courtesy of the Newberry Library)

IV. County and Local Elected Officials

To learn more about the Montana County History Initiative please click here.