Fort Missoula, N. C. O. Living Quarters, Missoula, Missoula County, MT

Significance: Fear of the recent Indian uprisings led to the establishment of a military post here, six miles southeast of Hell Gate Pass, to protect the Mullan Road. This all-important link between Walla Walla, Washington and Fort Benton, Montana had been established for the defense of the northwest territory. Closely associated with the famous march of Chief Joseph and his Nez Perce Indians in their flight to freedom, this fort has subsequently sheltered three generations of infantry soldiers. Unlike many western military posts, abandoned after the Indian threat subsided in the 1880's, Fort Missoula has had an almost continuous history of use through four wars and close to 90 years of crises. Ordnance and commissary sergeants' families occupied this log structure. When some of the forts older buildings were torn down in 1961 it was discovered that this building was built of ax-hewn logs but had been covered in boards to match other structures. Plans are underway to restore this building built in 1878 and one of three original fort buildings remaining today.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-14
Survey number: HABS MT-14
Building/structure dates: 1878 Initial Construction