Missoula County is named for the Flathead Native American word “im-i-sul-e-etiku”, meaning “by or near the place of fear or ambush”, a reference to Hell Gate Canyon in which Flathead Native Americans were sometimes attacked by the Blackfeet.
Created: February 2, 1865
County Seat:
Missoula 1865 – present
County Courthouse – Missoula
Location: 200 West Broadway Street / North Higgins Avenue
Built: 1908 – 1910
Style: Neo-Classical
Architect: A J Gibson
Contractor: W M Oliver
Description: The building faces south and is a three story gray colored sandstone block structure. The south front has two double columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. The cornice projects from the roof line around the building. In the building center is an integral iron-clad dome with clock and small cupola at the top. Within the dome is a two ton bell. There is a rotunda under the ornately decorated dome. The plaster columns supporting the rotunda are Doric on the basement level and Ionic on the main story and Corinthian on the second story. There are eight murals by Edgar Samuel Paxon. The building was renovated in 2016. The architect was A & E Architects of Missoula and the contractor was Jackson Contractors Group of Missoula.
County Courthouse Annex – Missoula
Location: 199 West Pine Street / North Higgins Avenue
Built: 1965 – 1966
Style: Modern
Architect: Witwer and Price
Contractor: Pew Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a four story concrete and glass structure. The building is connected on the south side to the courthouse. The roof line is flat.
Courthouses:
N – Sanders County, Lake County and Flathead County
E – Powell County
S – Granite County, Ravalli County and Idaho County, Idaho
W – Clearwater County, Idaho and Mineral County
Photos taken 2009 and 2016