Question, why do you think Roy will be growing in population, is there some development that is going on?
Actually, a quick Google shows Agawam almost due west of Conrad, MT. Not nearly as far as Valier. That's another 20-25 miles north. Was there last night... Found out is is exactly 165 miles from my house to the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, MT...
Ken, are you thinking of urban sprawl from Lewistown? Roy would be a good place to buy a home cheap, and in 10 years when propery values are much higher, with commuters from LT, sell..
Hemi, I stumbled across this site and found those pics, yes there are more but haven't had the chance to go through it. http://digcoll.mt.gov/index.php Essex, its a small world, my father lived there as a boy, he remembers the men calling the steamers "Big Mikes" Milwaukee laying track in Montana
Holy smokes! That's cool!!!! I know Essex is GN, but I would love to live there! As for 'Joes lighting up the canyon....
Yea , I edited that out,(doh) I got a good laugh when I went back and re-read what I posted. Let me clear that up, when he seen the Joes, it was later in life when he lived in Polson, would travel to Spokane to visit my uncle. THAT WAS A DOOZY...Little Joes on the highline ....lol
Because we've had an influx of outsiders here in western MT. And they've brought along their societal stupidity. They've managed to elect mayors and councils, who are stealing our money faster than we can earn it. They're trying to re-create their vision of paradise. A la Aspen, Breckenridge, Sun Valley..... A lot of local people are already fleeing from the Bitterroot, Mission, and Flathead Valleys. We've already had two friends, just since last summer, move to the east side. It's a matter of financial survival. Those idiots use a cheap poli-sci trick, called 'income averaging' upon to base their taxing, etc. The largest employer is government, at about 35% of workers. Outside of that, if you don't own a business, you work in a near poverty level service sector job. Housing in the Lewistown area has jumped in price, the past two years. (Here, it's the same. What was $125K in 2005, is now $250K.) Nearly doubling. Those locals are screaming bloody murder. As there's no work there to support that type of mortgage, for Joe Average. We're talking people who have annual incomes of under $25K. Some of those landing in the Lewistown area, are telecommuters. Speaking of commuting, there is a California fellow who has shown up in the past year, Bitterroot Valley, who wants to build commuter rail there. Which is absurd. There's no tax base available to support that kind of cost. You ought to see the old Milw yard at Alberton. It's all yuppie housing, for people who commute to jobs in Missoula. :thumbs_down: Boxcab E50
We know someone who just bought a home in Fort Benton. Planning to retire there. They presently live out on the coast. mg: Boxcab E50
Our next door neighbor owns a place out near Heart Butte. Somewhere in that area, was where the line from Agawam was projected to head on toward Canada. Boxcab E50
Exactly. While the first stretch of wires was being put up between Harlowton, and Deer Lodge, the Milw and GE paraded some boxcabs around the system. Those are some neat photos! Boxcab E50
Well, actually.... There was a short segment extending north at Harlowton. But just to allow some local business switching. However, the very first electrifying the Milw did, was Great Falls! Seems the politicos there wet all over themselves about smoke abatement. So the Milw had a steeplecab motor some many years there. Amazing the GN wasn't also forced into the same situation. As they had a much greater presence. Hmmm..... Boxcab E50
I never knew GTF was an electrified area!!! I have never seen trolley poles, or anything around here... Funny about the smoke abatement--the old smelter and the current refinery are huge polluters compared to the occasional steam loco...
Right now, I can't recall when it was discontinued. Seems like it was about the early Depression. I'd need to look up the info again. It's possible that some structure used might survive as another incarnation. But trolley stuff is long gone. Boxcab E50
Its sad, they buy property to get away from whatever they are running from, and slowly turn it into the place that they left! My folks are retired and living in a small condo in Polson, right on the lake. They are comcerned about the development, they feel sooner or later the condo owner will sell to a fat cat who wants to "redevelop". They would not be able to afford anywhere else in the area. I worry that when I am able to retire, I won't be able to afford coming back home .
Your description of what the newcomers do, is perfect. You aren't alone. We're here, and fear we'll be forced out. To where? Crosby, ND? If you want to see what has really happened, do this- Park on top of Lookout Pass until after dark. Then drive east. After you reach the bottom, you'll be shocked. Everywhere you look, will be lights from homes in the trees. Along the old Milw r-o-w, where there was once nothing, is a sea of people. mg: :sad: Boxcab E50
...or as we said in my Air Force days, "Why not Minot" :teeth: Well I haveto go do some honeydos, talk to you soon I hope :thumbs_up:
