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C.M. Russell Museum Collection, Gift of Ralph and Fern Lindberg 19 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org Our History The five hydroelectric dams around Great Falls give the town its nickname, the Electric City. The first to be built, and the first hydroelectric dam in the state, was Black Eagle Dam in 1890. Cochran Dam, the last to be completed, was finished in 1958. From humble beginnings, Great Falls has evolved into a vibrant city. The city supports thriving and diverse agricultural industries, is home to Montana's only Air Force installations – Malmstrom Air Force Base and Montana Air National Guard – is a hub for BNSF Railway, and hosts hundreds of businesses. Since 1928, we have benefited from a well-connected international airport that currently has direct service to six cities in addition to Chicago in the summer. You might notice that Great Falls doesn't boast many chain restaurants or luxury, nationally known retail experiences, but for many, this is preferred. Our small restaurants and boutique retailers offer personalized services and a more accommodating lifestyle, making it the perfect place to personalize a vacation or create an intimate life. There is no shortage of charm to Great Falls' offerings. Throughout the year, you will find events such as Craft Beer Week, the Great Falls Farmers' Market, historical walking tours, including brothel and ghost tours, the Banff Film Festival, star gazing, the Lewis and Clark Festival, Downtown Summer Jam concert series, Minor League Baseball, The Great Falls Symphony, and more. Our recreation opportunities are endless as Montana's Basecamp for Art and Adventure. Jump on the Missouri River for floating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming. The Great Falls corridor offers personal watercraft and jet boating opportunities at Broadwater Bay, right in the center of town! Hike the Highwood or Little Belt mountains, visit the world's largest buffalo jump at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park in Ulm, take a day trip into Sluice Box State Park, visit Fort Benton, the birthplace of Montana, or take a boat tour of the Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River. You can also soak in one of the many hot springs that can be found in all directions from Great Falls. In the winter, ski at Showdown Ski Area, snowmobile at Kings Hill, or cross-country ski and snowshoe the Silver Crest Trail. The East Entrance to Glacier National Park is only a 2½-hour drive north. There you can travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road where you might see mountain goats, big horn sheep, and possibly a grizzly bear or two. Or head 3½ hours south to Yellowstone Nation Park and take in Old Faithful, geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and waterfalls. Wildlife viewing offers glimpses of wild bison, elk, moose, grizzly bears, and wolves. Great Falls makes it easy to experience all the once-in-a- lifetime history and adventure Montana has to offer. It truly is the perfect basecamp for your Montana experience.