Fort Missoula

Born of perceived military necessity and local economic boosterism, "the beautiful little post on the Bitterroot" provided a home for the US Army in Montana from 1877 onward. Called into service almost by accident for the 1877 Nez Perce War, Fort Missoula hosted African American Buffalo Soldiers, aviation pioneers, early military automobile mechanics, Civilian Conservation Corps workers, World War II Italian and Japanese national internees, US military prisoners, and a variety of US Army and Navy units. The base bequeathed to its community a level of sophistication and a connection to the national story unique to the American West. Fort Missoula's architectural legacy also reflects the nation's journey from frontier settlement to world power as an assortment of log structures evolved into "the Million Dollar Post."

Tate Jones is a Missoula native and holds a master of arts degree in history from George Washington University. He serves as executive director of the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History and vice president of the Northern Rockies Heritage Center, both located at Fort Missoula.