What is the Lewistown area like? (Bigfork: where to live, moving to, rail)

[lbrty33]

I am strongly considering moving to Montana and have been doing some research on the web. I have never been to Montana and am from Michigan. I came across Lewistown and was wondering what it was like; Geographically, weather wise and culturally. Also, is anyone familiar with Forestgrove? It seems to be a small community in the same general area and looks interesting. Any information is appreciated!

[seven of nine]

I searched to older threads and found the local paper.
Lewistown News-Argus > Front
Good luck and I am sure someone else will come along.

[lbrty33]

Hey, thanks a lot Seven of nine.
The paper has good info. I appreciate it

[seven of nine]

You are welcome, I hear nice things about the area. Montana is a huge state, lots of climate and topographical varieties. Stop by the porch to visit

[Reziac]

Lewistown is the only place in MT that actually reminds me of northern Minnesota. Something about the air, especially in winter, even tho it doesn't really look that similar (well, maybe to the old parts of Bemidji or Bigfork) and of course it's not flat.

It's often an island (or hollow to be accurate) of green and snow even when the surrounding area is dried out. Beware of roads, can be icy through there when the roads are naked everywhere else.

I never did more than drive thru and stop for gas, but it was always quiet and peaceful. Too much snow for me but otherwise seems wholly pleasant.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Lewistown-Montana.html
I think the pictures are a fair portrayal of the town, as I recall it.

[seven of nine]

thanks Rez, you are a good neighbor

[Reziac]

BTW where the heck is Forestgrove? Never heard of it!

[lbrty33]

Yes, thanks Rez for the info and link. The pics are beautiful.

BTW where the heck is Forestgrove? Never heard of it!

Um... it's a few miles E/SE of Lewistown according to google maps. Visitmt.com also had some info on it: Forest Grove, Montana That is the extent of my knowledge on it.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by lbrty33

Um... it's a few miles E/SE of Lewistown according to google maps. Visitmt.com also had some info on it: Forest Grove, Montana That is the extent of my knowledge on it.

Oh, I see... there's not actually anything there; it's just a crossroads:
forestgrove, mt - Google Maps
Zoom in and you'll see there are a few farm buildings and that's it. It probably had a rail siding with a grain elevator or cattle loading dock at some point in the past, and those sidings ALL had names, even if there was nothing else there.

CMSP&P Forest Grove, MT
Does appear it was just a rail siding, now defunct.

I wouldn't take visitmt.com's community descriptions too literally -- a lot of the "communities" described aren't much more than defunct rail sidings or ghost towns in the present, and you won't find anywhere to live there!

(There are TONS of these "tourist trap websites" that parrot the same info, mainly to snag search engines. Most of 'em are selling something, or have a mirror under another name that does so. This one has a near-copy that sells T-shirts and such.)

[seven of nine]

Very true~
That is why you come to the Montana Forum, good straight answers, and a few good recipes.