In 1882

Photographed by F. Jay Haynes, Summer, 1880

Haynes Foundation Collection Montana Historical Society H-326

from a high point on the plains near the confluence of the Missouri and Sun rivers, Paris Gibson first viewed the area where he would start a city.

Unlike many other western cities, Great Falls was planned by a practical and extremely thoughtful man. While organizing the town, Gibson made sure the streets were laid out in a precise, arrow- straight pattern, and he set aside 886 acres for city parks. Gibson believed beauty was important in a city and personally made sure that elm, ash, and fir trees were planted on every street and boulevard. Now we have several other varieties of trees spreading around town, helping out with the fall foliage color scheme.

Our original township had a well planned grid of streets, nicely numbered, north, south, east, west, because unlike many other cities, Great Falls was planned by a practical and extremely thoughtful man. (Now, I personally think the folks who mapped Missoula gave a drunk a couple hits of acid and followed him around the valley for a few days.)

As our town grew, new developments veered away from the original structured system, and curved and cul de saced, and were named Ivy Lane and Doris Drive, and such like, causing yours truly pains as she attempts to figure out where the heck some of these places are. But the originals are names everyone here knows, and they are part of our town, even if some of them do smell.

I remember coming in to town off Airport hill at night in the late ‘70’s and seeing the city lights spread out below us.

I remember coming into town the same way a few weeks ago, and seeing the city lights spread out. And around. And up. There is a lot more to the town than there was thirty years ago. I wonder if Mr. Gibson would be happy with what his dream has become.