St. Joseph's Catholic Mission Church
a.k.a. Canton Church
3497 MT 284, Townsend, MT Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The state of Montana was once home to a massive inland sea that covered much of North America around 80 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.
In the early 1800s, European explorers and fur traders arrived in the region. The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped near present-day Townsend in 1805, documenting their journey through this part of Montana. The area's natural resources, including abundant wildlife and vast timber reserves, attracted more settlers in the following years.
Broadwater County was officially established on February 9, 1897, named after Charles A. Broadwater, a prominent businessman and founder of the Broadwater Hotel in Helena. The county was carved out of parts of Jefferson and Meagher counties. Initially, agriculture was the primary industry, with ranching and farming being the main economic activities.
In the early 20th century, the arrival of the railroad led to increased development in the county. The Northern Pacific Railway built a branch line through Broadwater County, which connected its towns to larger cities like Helena and Bozeman. This improved transportation allowed for the expansion of mining operations, particularly for gold and silver. The town of Radersburg, once known as the "Queen City of the Elkhorns," experienced a brief boom due to mining in the area.
As the 20th century progressed, agriculture remained an important industry in Broadwater County, while tourism also began to play a significant role. The county's natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and hot springs, attracted visitors from near and far. Today, Broadwater County continues to cherish its history, celebrate its natural heritage, and embrace the opportunities for economic and cultural growth.
Broadwater County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Broadwater County, Montana.
- 1864: Gold was discovered in Last Chance Gulch, which led to the founding of Helena, the future capital of Montana.
- 1881: Broadwater County was established on February 9th and named after the famous entrepreneur and developer, Thomas C. Broadwater.
- 1880s: The Montana Central Railroad was constructed, passing through Broadwater County and leading to increased settlement and economic growth.
- 1890: The city of Townsend was incorporated on November 13th as the county seat of Broadwater County.
- 1900s: Agriculture, including livestock ranching and grain production, became an important industry in the county.
- 1964: Canyon Ferry Dam was completed on the Missouri River, creating Canyon Ferry Lake and providing water storage, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation opportunities.
- 1990s: Broadwater County experienced growth and development due to its proximity to larger cities and recreational opportunities in the region.
- 2010: The population of Broadwater County was recorded at 5,612 in the United States Census.