Discover Havre: History Beneath the Surface

If you are deciding whether Havre is a suitable destination for a stay, the city offers several distinct historical themes: underground businesses, a prehistoric bison jump site, a historic residential district, and railroad history. These perspectives range from Havre’s history to the region’s earlier cultures. Which one interests you most can be a helpful starting point for planning your trip.

An Unusual Business History

“Havre Beneath the Streets” reconstructs Havre’s underground business history after a fire destroyed most of the city. The establishments depicted include an opium den, one of three known establishments of its kind, a Chinese laundry, an ethnic restaurant, and a brothel. The different businesses give the historical theme concrete detail: the focus is not only on the aftermath of the fire, but also on the commercial spaces and establishments that were part of the city’s underground history.

From the Hi-Line to a Historic Residential District

The H. Earl Clack Museum presents the history of the Hi-Line from a broader historical perspective. It spans prehistoric inhabitants and Plains cultures through the founding and development of Havre. Alongside the more narrowly focused history of underground businesses, this offers a story that places the city’s development in a wider historical context.

Another focus is the Havre Residential Historic District. It encompasses 36 blocks and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. The tour of the district is self-guided. The “Havre Downtown Business and Railroad Walking Tour” is also self-guided. Their names alone signal different emphases: one on the residential district, the other on downtown, business, and railroads. This can help you choose if you would like to explore a particular aspect of the city’s history in greater depth.

Railroad History and Its Exhibits

The Frank DeRosa Railroad Museum presents railroad history through specific exhibits, including a replica relay station, a working block signal, and a complete model railroad. The different items illustrate various aspects of railroad technology and how it is presented. Admission to the museum was free; check the current admission requirements before your visit.

Havre’s railroad depot is also part of this subject. The Great Northern Railway built it in 1904; it was later remodeled. Both the original construction and the subsequent changes are therefore part of the building’s history. For geographic orientation in Havre, the Amtrak station is located between downtown and the Milk River.

Prehistoric Traces at Wahkpa Chu'gn

Wahkpa Chu'gn is a prehistoric bison jump site whose history dates back more than 2,000 years. It offers a different perspective from museums about the city and railroad history, focusing on the distant human past and the bison jump site itself.

One-hour guided tours of Wahkpa Chu'gn were once offered daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. At the end of the tours, visitors were instructed in how to throw an atlatl—a weapon used by the Besant, the earliest people to live there. Check whether tours are currently available before visiting. The tour duration and seasonal schedule also give you specific points of reference when planning your stay.

Havre offers several distinct historical themes to consider when choosing a destination: the history of underground businesses, the development of the Hi-Line and the city, a prehistoric site, and the railroad. The self-guided tours and the different museum themes each offer their own way of exploring these stories. You can assess Havre based on which of these perspectives best suits your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Rudyard

For the broader travel overview: Hill County.