City of Choteau News Highlights from 1984-86
Teton County Montana.
A 2013 Centennial Project

"Summarized from the Choteau Acantha Newspaper with its permission by Nancy Thornton, Choteau, Montana. All rights reserved." Copyright 2013-present by Nancy Thornton. This file may be freely copied for non-profit purposes.
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Compiled with permission from the Choteau Acantha by Nancy Thornton 5/27/13.

Summer 1984. Spring Creek dried up early in the summer. City of Choteau imposed stringent irrigation regulations.

Wildfire in the South fork of the Teton required 85 men on the fire line, consumed 78 acres of timber, before contained in two days.

Early in 1984. Bonds issued for purchase of new city fire truck and for the extension of the sewer trunk line to the lagoon. Jackson Addition to form special improvement district.

July 1984. Emily Crary and J.C. Salmond selected as Choteau Chamber Pioneer King and Queen, grand marshals at the July 4 parade.

October 1984 Citizens State Bank celebrates 75th anniversary, and grand opening of its new banking facility. New building is across the street from the old building and has three times as much floor space.

Montana Power Co. requests huge rate increases to pay for col-generating plant in Colstrip, hearings held in Choteau and elsewhere drawing hundreds of angry customers. MPC supplies wholesale power to Sun River Electric coop. so everyone affected. Agreement reached for lower graduated increases.

Fall 1984 Groundbreaking at south end of Choteau of new independent living complex for the clients of Choteau Activities.

Fall 1984. Choteau Lions Club starts $35,000 fund drive to replace the bottom in the Choteau swimming pool. Ended 51st season as the oldest municipal pool in the state mainly supported by Lions Club.


November 1984. Construction of $300,000 new federal office building on newly annexed property north of Choteau that will house the U.S. Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service and the Farm Home Administration offices.

Compiled with permission from the Choteau Acantha by Nancy Thornton 5/27/13.

Drought continued into 1985. September precip was 4.16 while the first seven months totaled only 3.20 inches. By end of year above average achieved, with 14 inches total.

New building to house Rex's Food Farm under construction, across the alley from Citizens State Bank.
April 1985. Federal agencies move into new building on north side.
Seven new businesses in Choteau.
1/21/85 Sunshine Unlimited, a tanning salon operated by Sherrel and Gary Passmore.
Four new businesses in the new complex on the north edge of Choteau, Burk's Big Sky Complex, owned by Stoney and Jeannie Burk. Houses Stoney's Sport Shop, the Shed Horn Gallery, Mountain Taxidermy and the Outpost Deli.
Roger and Dorothy Weist refurbished the old Sip and Sup Café building, and opened up a variety store called Town and Country Variety.
Just before Christmas Debbie Luinstra and her grandmother Daisy Marshall, opened new family shoe store, Goody 2 Shoes in the former liquor store buiding behind Ellens.
August 1985. LeRoy Walker of Terry opened Walker Electric.
September 1985. Linda Krahe opened Linda's Hairobics in her home.
Murphy and Burk added a new attorney, Randy Winner.
Dr. James Vook, MD. began a family practice in Choteau and Fairfield,
Dr. Kristi Johnson, D.V.M. was added to the staff of Double Arrow Vet Clinic.
Russ and Janet Barner expanded Teton TV when they purchased the Sears Catalog Store from Maureen Richey Talbert;
employee Shirley Rustad purchased Insurance Associates and renamed it Sawtooth Insurance Agency,
Tom McCartney sold his business, Teton County Abstract Co. and retired to his ranch southwest of Choteau.
Tom and Marci Eckerson sold the Choteau Bakery to Bob and Bev Hodges of Choteau.

August 1985. New fire truck delivered, replaced a 1948 model.
Choteau Kiwanis Club sponsors Girl Scout Rendezvous of 800 Girl Scouts camped in the Weatherbeater and adjoining city park for three days.

Fall 1985. (Photo) Work completed to replace bottom of Choteau swimming pool. Painting and the replacement of the fence to follow.

12/9/85 Grizzly bear discussion at public meeting in Choteau, unveiling of draft environmental statement on its management.

Compiled with permission from the Choteau Acantha by Nancy Thornton 5/27/13.

Agricultural economy headed into a slump.

Widespread flooding from a second storm and Chinook with rapid melting. $500,000 in flood damage to roads and bridges in county.

February 1986. 57-year old Choteau Food Market closed its doors. Cow Track Lodge closed its doors.
Gary's IGA celebrated 10th anniversary. It had opened after Safeway closed, in same location.

April 1986. Voters turn down school levy request, operation and maintenance of Choteau schools. Budget trimmed, public meetings, second mill levy passed by 34 votes on May 15.

April 1986. Food Pantry organized for those in need.

Late in 1986. Sawtooth Agency closed, along with State Farm Insurance office.

Rex and Doug Peterson have store opening of Rex's Food Farm just off Main Avenue.

Grand opening for Goody 2 Shoes.

Judy Utsler opens Judy's Book Nook, a used book store across the alley from the fire hall.

September 1986. Choteau becomes headquarters for Morrison-Knudsen Co. that is building a pipeline for Montana Power between Deer Lodge and Cut Bank.

Bella Vista Motel owners Heide and Wayne Tibbs hold a grand opening of their new convenience store located adjacent to their motel, “Happy's.”

Elson and Jodie Burgess open Video Plus on Main Avenue, renting videos.

Sandy Morris and Lorrell Heckman, who operates the ShedHorn Gallery with her husband, Rocky, open “Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe,” selling handcrafted items during the holiday season.

Peggy Guthrie, travel agent with Travel World for five years, moved her business to the Crary building and reopened as Anderson-Elerding Travel Agency.

Choteau hosts state football championship, against Baker Spartans, losing to them 36-20.

May 1986. Bynum tearch Ira Perkins retired and was featured on CBS “On the Road” with Charels Kurault. marking 53 years all at the same school.

August 1986. Marge Hanusa's adult piano recital was featured in the Family Living section of Time Magazine and she appeared with Johnny Carson in October.

Carl Hanson named Montana's Outstanding Young Farmer by Montana Jaycees and will advance to nationals.

4/24/86, Choteau named “State Capital for a Day,” by Gov. Ted Schwinden.

June 1986. John and Marion Brandvold host Dinosaur Days at Teton Trail Village, featuring Jack Horner.

Teton Extension Agent Anne Wiprud killed in auto accident in Washington sate.

Martha Arensmeyer and Roy Stott named Pioneer King and Queen for Chamber's July 4th parade.

George Higgins Day event.

Chamber adds park benches along streets and flowers on street light poles.

Jack Horner visits Choteau once more.

Copyright 2013-present  Nancy Thornton  All Rights Reserved