| Long Description | <DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Choteau_grainfield.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Scenery</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Choteau Chamber</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Choteau_oldtrailmuseum.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Old Trail Museum</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Rob Story</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Choteau_LocalBusinesses.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Local Businesses</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Bill Kuney</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Choteau_Scenery.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Scenery</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Bill Kuney</p></li></ul>
<p>Choteau is the county seat for Teton County and is one of the oldest still active towns in this part of Montana. It began as a trading post and was called Old Agency when the post office was established in 1875. In January 1882 the name was changed to Chouteau to honor Pierre Chouteau, Jr., president of the American Fur Company, who brought the first steamboat up the Missouri (Perrin). Choteau's father was a founder of the Missouri River Fur Company. The county, which was also named in honor of this family, uses the original French spelling (Chouteau), but the town name has dropped the first u. (from Cheney's <I>Names on the Face of Montana</I>, Mountain Press Publishing Company)</p> <p>Visit the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=487&siteid=1">Old Trail Museum</a>, a member of the <a href="http://mtdinotrail.org/">Montana Dinosaur Trail</a>, for a fascinating look at fossils, unique exhibits, dinosaurs, Indian artifacts and western history. The Old North Trail left reminders of the Indians as they fled from the Arctic to Mexico over 8,000 years ago. The museum reflects the rich cultural and natural history of the Rocky Mountain Front area. Visitor Information Center is located next to the Museum.</p> <p>Millions of years ago this area was used by dinosaurs as a breeding ground. Paleontologists have put together pieces from excavated eggs and bones. <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=16988&siteid=1">Egg Mountain</a> is 12 miles to the west of Choteau. It is the site that has yielded more information about dinosaur biology during the Cretaceous period than any other paleontology dig in the world. Dinosaur digs, egg shell fragments, nests, and babies were discovered for the first time in North America.<P>Choteau offers opportunities for camping, swimming, shopping, and golf right in town. Nearby opportunities include hiking, skiing, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and dinosaur digging. Choteau is surrounded by outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities on the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=710">Lewis and Clark National Forest</a> and in the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=730">Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex</a>. The community also has several taverns and restaurants. Downtown shopping includes gift stores, clothing boutiques, art galleries, hardware stores, grocery stores and gas stations.</p><P>West of town ample opportunities await at: The Bob Marshall Wilderness, The Nature Conservancy's <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11054">Pine Butte Swamp Preserve</a>, <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=3952">Ear Mountain Wildlife Management Area</a> and Lewis and Clark National Forest land. |
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