THE EARLY HISTORY OF FLATHEAD COUNTY

Northwestern Montana was basically uninhabited by white
settlers until the 1870's. The Continental Divide separates
Montana's north western mountain terrain from its eastern 
prairies. Difficult passage to reach the area delayed 
settlment until the late part of the nineteenth century.
The Koutenai and Kalispel Indians inhabited the area prior 
to white settlement. They were nomadic tribes, and their 
territory ranged from the Continental Divide to the Columbia 
River in what is now Washington State. The first white men were 
trappers in the early 1800's.  Canadian explorer and trapper 
David Thompson, is recognized as discovering the Flathead.  
Slowly, other trappers followed, but these early mountain men 
had little effect on the settlement of Northwestern Montana and 
Flathead County. 

Missoula County was formed in 1865. Flathead, Mineral, Ravalli, 
and Sanders Counties were originally part of Missoula County. 
In 1893, Flathead County was established. It also included 
Lincoln (established in 1909), and part of Lake County 
(established 1923).

The Great Northern Railroad completed the first trans-continental
line across Montana in 1883.  This rail line was south of 
Flathead County, and large immigration wasn't to begin until 
later in the decade. Most travel to the valley was by boat. 
Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the 
Mississippi, was a vital waterway and primary means of 
transportation until the railroad was completed in 1892. 
The lake's passenger boats and freighters continued in use 
until 1929.  

Most settlers were of European decent. A large French 
community emigrated from Frenchtown, in Missoula County. 
Many miners from the Montana gold rush decided to try their 
hand at farming when the gold played out. These first 
settlers claimed the rich, fertile land in southern 
Flathead County for little or no cost. Northern Flathead 
County was heavily wooded, and gradually cleared for 
settlement. The towns of Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and 
other small villages sprang out of these northern clearings. 

The first recognized settler was trader Joe Ashely. In 1859, 
he purchased a claim from one of his superiors for $10. 
The town of Ashley was the first settlement founded in 
1884. Demersville was established in 1887.  Telesphore 
"Jack" Demers, a French businessman operating a store 
in Frenchtown was on a trip thru the area. He decided it 
would be a good location for a trading post. Demersville 
as founded on the Flathead River and it became a flourishing 
port. By 1890 the railroad decided to expand into the area. 
This brought an influx of people. Demersville, was confident 
the town would be chosen as the division point for the railroad.  

In 1891, Charles E. Conrad plotted Kalispell,a new community 
just north of Demersville. Conrad was a wealthy entrapeneur 
and local representative. Kalispell's buisness district 
began to flourish. He was a popular citizen of the valley 
and instrumental in the success of the area.  Some of his 
endeavors included cattle ranching, buffalo ranching, 
banking, real estate, and owner of the Kalispell townsite.  

It is this writer's opinion, that Conrad's political power 
and influence resulted in the railroad's choice of Kalispell 
as their dividing point. When this decision was made,the 
community of Demersville literally picked up the buildings 
and moved them to Kalispell. Demersville is no longer 
in existence. All that remains is the Demersville Cemetery 
several miles south of Kalispell. When Flathead County 
was formed in 1893, Kalispell was clearly chosen as county seat.

The main industries in Flathead County were logging 
and farming until Glacier National Park was established in 
1910. Tourism became a new and lucritive enterprise. Local 
businessmen began to promote the Park, thus starting a 
new chapter in Flathead County's history.