Sounds on the Square
Photo courtesy: Havre Chamber
Historic Residential District
Fort Assinniboine
Bear Paw Mountains
Havre, an agricultural city, is situated close to the Canadian border amidst the wide panorama of the open plains. Also a railroad town, it offers modern city conveniences in a remote setting, surrounded by unaltered and uncluttered plains. The economy is diversified with farming, ranching, hospital and health services, education, professional and retail businesses and the railroad.
Havre is the home of Montana State University-Northern and a key service point on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad northern Montana line. Havre is surrounded by the Milk River, wheat fields and the Bears Paw Mountains at an elevation of 2,494 feet
Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump is one of the largest prehistoric Indian bison kill- and camp-sites. The site was frequently used from approximately 2,000 to 600 years ago. Discovered in the fall of 1961, the site, situated on county land, has been kept in its natural state. The walking tour provides a unique and unequaled view of the area's cultural history.
Havre Beneath the Streets is a re-creation of Havre's history. When fire destroyed most of Havre, business owners moved underground to carry on their business until the town could be rebuilt. Step back in time as far as 100 years ago.
Tour a military post of yesterday. Historic Fort Assinniboine, a late 19th-century Army installation, is one of the oldest in existence and the largest in Montana. Historic Fort Assinniboine, complete with preserved buildings, lies six miles southwest of Havre near the Milk River.
Located in the Holiday Village Shopping Center on Highway 2 West, the H. Earl Clack Museum gives an accurate picture of the history and development of Havre and the Hi-Line area and is an official stop on the Montana Dino Trail. The museum features an archaeological excavation of a buffalo jump and a detailed explanation of a buffalo-kill. Four dioramas grace the museum, one by nationally known artist, Bob Scriver.
In the Bears Paw Mountains to the south is Beaver Creek Park.This 10,000-acre park, one of the largest county parks in the United States, features rolling grasslands, wooded groves, rocky cliffs and rushing streams. The Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations are nearby.
The Havre/Hill County Preservation Commission has developed two self-guided walking tour maps, one for the Residential Historic District and the other for the Downtown Business & Railroad Historic Districts. Stroll back in time and enjoy the walk down tree lined streets where many of Havre's founding fathers built their homes. Explore the historic downtown, where businesses today occupy many of buildings of early times. Maps are available at the Chamber of Commerce and the Havre/Hill County Library. For a self-guided tour map of the historic districts contact the Chamber at 406-265-4383.
Havre Historic Tours and More showcases Montana's largest community on the Hi-Line through guided and online video tours, DVDs and books. Live guided tours are offered by appointment only, weather permitting. Visit Havre Historic Tours for more information.