Incorporated April 5, 1910, Polson has a history of lumbering, ranching and steamboats. The city was named after pioneer rancher David Polson. Steamboats played a major part in early transportation of freight and passengers. The tugboat “Paul Bunyan” was instrumental in early logging operations.

Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake. This charming lakeside community is the trading center for one of Montana’s most fertile farming areas. In a prime cherry growing region and home to numerous cherry orchards, Polson celebrates with an annual Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival.

The broad, sweeping Mission Valley south of Polson is bordered by the rugged, snow-capped Mission Mountains. The Flathead River that flows from Polson features whitewater rafting and Kerr Dam. The National Bison Range at Moiese with its large herds of bison, elk, deer, antelope and bairn sheep is nearby, as well as the Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuge for bird watchers.

Two museums, The Miracle of America and Polson-Flathead Historical Museum, offer many displays and memorabilia. Polson also has several city parks located on the lake and is home to the Polson Bay Golf Course, a magnificent golf course which is nestled near the Mission Mountains and at the base of Flathead Lake.

City of Polson: City Hall
http://www.cityofpolson.com
Telephone: 406-883-8202
Address: 106 First Street East Polson, Montana 59860

The Lake County Courthouse
106 4th Ave East Polson, Montana 59860

Polson was incorporated in 1910 and is the county seat for Lake County. Polson lies in a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana. Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Polson is a lakeshore community in the trading center for one of most fertile farming areas in Montana. This prime cherry growing region is home to dozens of orchards, which Polson celebrates with an annual Cherry Festival.

The broad, sweeping Mission Valley south of Polson is bordered by the rugged, snow-capped Mission Mountains. The Flathead River that flows through Polson features whitewater rafting and Kerr Dam.

Polson becomes a popular attraction in the summertime, when temperatures range from 80 to 95 degrees. In July, Polson plays host to the Flathead Lake Basketball Tournament. The largest Car Show in the Pacific

Polson Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival

Cherry time in Montana’s Flathead Lake Valley is one of the most exciting times of the year and Polson is where the cherry action is. Last year Polson’s Annual Cherry Festival was a great success and this year’s festival is sure to be even bigger, better and more exciting. Family Fun Event. The Festival is sponsored by the Polson Business Community with assistance from community organizations and businesses like the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association. With Cherry related foods, displays of Montana made items for sale and games for kids (or adults who think they are kids), your family will have a most memorable time. Come spend the entire day in Polson.

Quilt and Pillowcase Contest: Show your quilting skills. Enter your quilt or your pillowcase in this year’s quilting contest. All entries will be displayed in different Polson businesses for all the community to see. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Cherry Pie Eating Contest: Like Cherry Pie? Do you think you can eat more cherry pie at one sitting than anyone else? Come compete and show us your appetite.

Cherry Pit Spitting/Stem Tying Contest: Your only time to spit on the streets of Polson without penalty. Let everyone see how far you can spit a cherry pit. Just show up to enter. Contest Time is 1:00pm Sunday.

Show your finger dexterity and ability to tie cherry stems. If you sew, tie flies, play piano, or have good ‘fine motor’ skills, you just might be the winner of this fun event! Just show up to enter. Contest Time is 2:00pm Sunday.

Exhibits and Montana Made Items: Come see, eat, purchase or sell an amazing assortment of everything from art, photos, crafts to foods and treats. If you would like to rent an exhibit space to sell your creations call Jackie Cripe at 883-5800 for details about booth size, cost, location, set up and dismantle times.

Polson in 1910

Polson is the largest town on the old Flathead Indian Reservation, beautifully located at the foot of the Flathead Lake in Lake County. It has a population of about 900. Last year 100 new buildings were erected at a total cost of $50,000.00.

It has city water works and electric lights. The transportation consists of two steam boat lines to Somers and stages to Ravalli and Dixon. The town has a public school, Catholic and Methodist churches, three banks, three clubs, five hotels and twenty-five business houses.

The manufactories consist of a saw-mill, cabinet works, brick works, cement blocks and pop factory. The town is growing rapidly and combines beautiful scenery, fine climate and commercial activities.

The surrounding country is being rapidly settled with farmers and fruit growers. Its best asset however, is its location for manufacturing purposes, being at the foot of the lake and the natural outlet for all timber on the Flathead system, estimated to be about 50,000,000,000 ft. There is a large water power on the Flathead river in the vicinity, having a total fall of about 200 ft., at low water and a flow of 2,500 second feet which would furnish sufficient water power for large factories.

Polson in 2000

Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwest Montana lies in a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake Montana. This charming lakeside community is the trading center for one of Montana’s most fertile farming areas. In a prime cherry growing region and home to numerous cherry orchards, Polson celebrates with an annual Cherry Festival.

The broad, sweeping Mission Valley south of Polson is bordered by the rugged, snow-capped Mission Mountains. The Flathead River that flows from Polson features whitewater rafting and Kerr Dam. The National Bison Range at Moiese just south of Ronan Montana with its large herds of bison, elk, deer, antelope and barn sheep is nearby, as well as the Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuges for bird watchers.

Two museums, The Miracle of America and Polson-Flathead Historical Museum, offer many displays and memorabilia. Polson also has several city parks located on the lake. Visitors are advised to keep their cameras ready for the area’s own “Flathead Monster,” sitings of which date back over a hundred years. Also, don’t miss the Polson Golf Course.

Polson Montana become an attraction in the summer time when temperatures range from 80 to 95 degrees. All of Northwest Montana comes alive during the spring. In July Polson plays host to the Flathead Lake Hoopfest and then in August hosts the largest Car Show in the Pacific Northwest.

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Polson, Montana is the county seat of Lake County and is located in northwestern Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation and at the southern shore of Flathead Lake. Polson is approximately 70 miles north of Missoula, 50 miles south of Kalispell, and 70 miles south of Glacier National Park.

Geography
Elevation: 2,927 feet
Average July Maximum Temperature: 82.2 F
Average January Minimum Temperature: 19.4 F
Average Annual Precipitation: 15.32 inches

Population
Polson  4,777 (2016)
Lake County  29,758 (2016)

Utility Providers
Water & Sewer: City of Polson
Garbage & Recycling: Republic Garbage Service, Lake County Recycling
Electricity: Mission Valley Power
Television: Charter
Phone & Internet: Access Montana, CenturyLink, Charter

Government
Lake County Courthouse
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Montana Department of Transportation
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Post Office (Polson)

Non-Profit

Greater Polson Community Foundation
North Lake County Public Library
Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation & Lake County

Schools & Sports
Polson School District
Cherry Valley Elementary School
Linderman Elementary School
Polson Middle School
Polson High School
Polson Youth Baseball
Polson Youth Soccer
Polson Softball

Health Facilities
Providence St. Joseph Medical Center
Lake County Public Health
St. Luke Community Healthcare
Polson Health | Kalispell Regional Healthcare