Our Viewpoint: Roosevelt made an impact on area

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark came through our area more than 200 years ago on the Corps of Discovery Expedition. They became famous for their exploration out west. A lot has changed here in two centuries, but their names are still prominent, from counties to rivers and monuments.

Though Lewis and Clark are an important part of our history, other famous Americans made an impact in the area as well. Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was one of those.

Roosevelt came to Thompson Falls to hunt the “great white goat.” In July of 1888, he came for his first hunting adventure with pioneer merchant Jack Willis. Willis was unsure of the city slicker the first time he met Roosevelt, but the two became buddies and Roosevelt came back several times to Thompson Falls for hunting visits.

This year, the Sanders County Historial Society will share Teddy Roosevelt’s history with Sanders County in an exhibit at the Old Jail Museum in Thompson Falls. The exhibit will include a full mountain goat mount, pictures, and a “Footprints of Teddy Roosevelt” map detailing his adventures in the area.

And on April 11, you can attend “A Visit with Teddy Roosevelt,” a free presentation at the Heron Community Center beginning at 7 p.m. Scholar and actor Archer Ellwein will give the presentation by Humanities Montana, and answer questions about Roosevelt.

You won’t see Roosevelt’s name on many road signs or monuments in Sanders County, but his contributions to local history are important. Jack Willis, in his early days, hunted for hides, loading them on box cars and shipping them back east. Roosevelt, often referred to as the “conservation president,” talked Willis into changing his ways as a hunter because it was decimating the wild animal populations in the area.

Delaware, the first state, was founded in 1787. Montana didn’t obtain statehood until more than 100 years later, in 1889. When you think about our history compared with eastern states, Montana is relatively young. But it doesn’t make our history any less significant. We look forward to these local presentations, and hope you’ll take the time to learn more about our local history as well.