P.C. Museum news for June 28, 2017

Happy Summer!

Does anyone know the story behind Cole, Mont.?

Cole was located in Phillips County approximately 20 miles northwest of Saco. At one time, it was a flourishing city of 1,000 people. What brought that many people to that area?

Fort Peck Dam was a great site for building a dam. Suitable soils were available nearby, rock and gravel were found in the immediate vicinity also. But “toe gravel” was not available at the dam site. It was determined that 4,000,000 cubic yards was needed.

Survey’s determined an extensive glacial deposit was located at the town site of Cole. One thousand acres of Montana prairie were dug up, sifted and screened to produce the vast qualities of toe gravel needed at Fort Peck Dam. Railcar after railcar took the toe gravel from Cole to Fort Peck. Workers and their families made Cole their home. The PC Museum has several great photos of Cole and the piles of gravel.

Museum doors are open Monday-Saturday 10-5.