Monarch News

A young Morgan Antonich thought he would be a ranch hand, working the family land in the canyon near Monarch.

A 13-mile stretch of Belt Creek between Neihart and Monarch has levels of lead high enough to threaten fish and animals and could be added to an existing federal Superfund site in the area, according to the EPA.

The changing rhythm of the seasons brings with it changes in our daily lives. As autumn takes its hold over central Montana, homeowners exchange their lawnmowers for yard rakes - the snow shovel lies close at hand.

Precious little remains of the old railroad that once connected Great Falls with the bustling mining towns of Monarch and Neihart - a few rotting timbers, some rusted equipment, an old tunnel or two, and the rail bed itself, which now forms the heart of Sluice Boxes State Park.

With a respite from the heat in summer, glorious golden foliage in the fall and beautiful winterscapes, the time is always right for a drive on the Kings Hill Scenic Byway southeast of Great Falls.