This is a series of micro-caches commemorating the lost historical towns in the Flathead Valley. In most cases nothing is left of the original town site, however using anecdotal evidence and a late 1990s U.S. Geological Survey project that pinned down the approximate area where these towns' post offices were located, we have placed these caches in the general vicinity. In cases where the land is privately owned, the cache will be at least within eyeshot.
In order to distinguish between an actual town (like Salish or Demersville) and a general area (like Half Moon or Deer Park) we have taken our definition verbatim from the most valuable resource we found while researching these lost places, the book "Muscle, Grit And Big Dreams Earliest Towns of the Upper Flathead 1872-1891" by Carle F. O'Neil, O'Neil Printers, 1996. A town is, "A collection of houses and other buildings wherein at least minimal human services are formally provided and exchanged, and where a public post office has been established."
The above photo is the an interior shot of the LaSalle sawmill. The cache is located fairly close to where the town's post office was probably located It's a quick park and grab.
Some interesting facts about LaSalle Montana:
- LaSalle was founded in 1900 by Walter Jellison when he established a post office in his general store.
- Located in the heart of the Half Moon Prairie area, LaSalle was an important connection point for the Badrock Canyon area settelers to the rest of the valley.
- The LaSalle school house is still standing and is now part of the Olsen Pioneer Park.
- In all, LaSalle stayed small and only lasted about six years from 1900-1905.