WINSTON, Montana Community Information

• 

  Homestead

  Photo courtesy: MTOT

• 

  Scenery

  Photo courtesy: MTOT

Winston is between Townsend and Helena. Winston began with Fred Goudy's Saloon, which was followed by the Duncan Hotel, a combined restaurant and rooming house. The Duncans worked to promote the town after it was platted by the Northern Pacific Railroad, and farmers and ranchers settled in the area. Mines in the area were active 1908-1918 and 1926-1928, producing gold, silver, copper and lead. The biggest mine was the East Pacific, which was almost a town in itself, with shops, offices, two saloons, and a three-story bunkhouse for 150 workers. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

One of Winston's first settlers was George Beatty, who came to Montana from New York as a young man with tuberculosis hoping to extend his life with the fresh mountain air. So certain of his imminent death he brought his tombstone with him. However, it was not put to use until his death at the age of 92.

Winston is located at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains near the state capitol, Helena, and Elkhorn State Park. Canyon Ferry Lake, located nearby, offers excellent boating and fishing opportunities.