4540 Highway 200 | 5 Miles West of Thompson Falls, Montana 59873
Thompson Falls was named after David Thompson, geographer and trader, who established the Saleesh
House here in 1809. The Saleesh House was used until the 1820s rather sporadically and usually only
by employees. Nothing exists of the Saleesh House today. The inhabitants of Thompson Falls felt they
were being neglected by the Northern Pacific Railroad, so they decided to get attention for themselves.
By piling logs on the railway, forcing the train to stop. The townspeople then boarded the train and
persuaded the passengers to settle in Thompson Falls.
Thompson Falls sits on the scenic Clark Fork River and is also named for the river’s natural falls.
You can enjoy this setting at Thompson Falls State Park. Visit other attractions in the area i
ncluding the Historic Jail Museum, Wild Goose Landing Park and Recreation Center, Bighorn Sheep
Viewing Station and the scenic Blue Slide area. Elevation: 2,419 feet. Scroll down for more info.
 The Court House |
Thompson Falls Medical Clinic & Physical Therapy is right in town.
The Volunteer
Fire Station
 Brand New Post office |
 The
Public Library |
First State Bank Information
 Lynde's Beauty Salon & Claude Burlingame, Lawyer |
 Optometrist |
The Rimrock Lodge. Fine dining, bowling, lounge and hotel. Click Here for more information
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 Birdland Bay RV Resort Information |
 Falls Floral |
 Bear Muscle Fitness Gym |
 Harvest Foods |
 True Value Hardware & Dougs Drug |
 New Asia Chinese Dining |
 Chelsea's Tea Shop |
 Crazy Ernies Tackle & Bait |
Thompson
Falls History
David Thompson,
the British explorer, fur trader, and cartographer was the first white man to come to this area. Associated
with the Hudson's Bay Company, he built the Saleesh house, a fur trading post in 1809. The Post was located east of the
present day town site. David Thompson was called the Koo Koo Sint (star gazer) by the Indians. There wasn't much
activity in the area until the coming of the railroad in 1881. One of the crew stayed behind and built the first home
within the present town site. Soon after in 1883, the gold rush hit
Couer D'Alene mines came and the town grew to accommodate the men going over the Murray trail to the mines.
In 1885 John Russell bought 40 acres and platted the townsite. Both the town and the falls were named after David Thompson.
 Boomtown Cafe Information |
 Lucky Lil's Casino Click here to go to website |
 Linda's Gifts & Gallery Information |
 Little Bear Ice Cream & Yogurt Parlor Information |
 Sander's County Ledger |
View of Downtown |
 Uptown Essentials Natural Health Products & Vitamins |
 Sherpa Log homes and Mighty Fine T's |
 Subway |
 Cabinet Mountain Log Works Link: http://www.air-locklog.com/ |
 River's Bend Golf Course The Clark Fork River, a tributary of the Columbia runs the length of the Valley in Sanders and is made ideal for water sports by three reservoirs open to the public. The county encompasses the cabinet Mountain Wilderness and three national forests. Within close proximity are Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake and Lake Pend Oreille. This quiet portion of Montana with its lush green Valleys, rugged mountains, lakes and streams offer a lifestyle of tranquility away from the centers of large industry, congestion, and pollution. Quaint Communities lie nestled in the valleys and along the banks of both the Clark Fork River and the Flathead River close enough for comfort yet far enough apart to feel uncrowded. Centrally located and county seat is Thompson Falls, the Largest community. |
Aerials of Thompson Falls
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WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE RIVER..
The Clark Fork Valley in which Thompson Falls resides has the mildest climate in Montana. The climate along with
its breathtaking scenery make this an ideal place to live, or visit. Thompson Falls is surrounded by millions of acres
of National Forest providing endless recreation opportunities for camping, wild life viewing, berry and mushroom
picking and much more! The reservoir created by the Thompson Falls Dam on the Clark Fork River provide uncrowded
fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation. Several boat accesses are available.
Services
Airport: with 4,200 ft lighted hard surface runway, fuel service, hangar rentals,& 2,460 ft. elevation.
City Government: Mayor/Council Volunteer fire department, fires insurance rating - Class 7,
Class 8-9 Rural. 3 full time police officers; and 72% of city streets are paved. http://www.montana.gov/
Health Services: Two medical Clinics served by two physicians and one physician's assistant;
Physical therapy clinic; therapeutic massage; dentistry; optometry; two chiropractor, and orthodontist.
Utilities: Montana Power, propane gas, -3 local suppliers Website: http://www.northwesternenergy.com/default.asp
Water:Municipal treated system draws from a surface source and two wells; hardness 57.8, temp.
38-45. Sanitary sewer; Aerated lagoon.
Telephone Blackfoot ~C.F.T. Website: http://www.blackfoot.net/
Garbage: Private hauling, public disposal.
Educational Facilities: Class "B" school with grades K-12 Public Library and Museum.
http://www.montana.gov/css/education/schools.asp
Railroad: Served by Montana Rail Link, 1 freight trip per day. Motor Freight - Intercity
Freight Co. http://www.montanarail.com/
Newspapers: The Ledger; Missoulian Website: http://www.missoulian.com/
TV: 30 Channels w/cable
RV Parks: 3
The population is around 1400. The elevation is 2419'
Thompson Falls offers most of the services of a large center with a good selection of
businesses and unique shops. There are nine churches, several clubs and organizations
to choose from. Thompson Falls residents enjoy the mildest climate in the state of
Montana. With an average of 20 inches of precipitation per year, and an average
of 115 frost free days. It is known as part of the "Banana Belt" if Montana.
Recreational Facilities include tennis courts, a swimming pool, ball diamonds,
horseshoe pits, and a bowling alley. Timber and agriculture have sustained
Thompson Falls for some time, but the main reason people stay is the serenity
and beauty of the surrounding area.