Fort Missoula Historic District, Missoula, Montana
When Vital Ground made the decision to relocate from Park City to Missoula in spring 2005, we looked high and low for suitable office space. Our search included industrial complexes, downtown basements, a former dental office, and even an apartment above a convenience store. We needed adequate space and reasonable rent, and hoped for a building and location whose character matched that of Vital Ground.
Just when we thought we would have to settle for something short of our goal, we found the perfect spot. The Montana Natural History Center was moving into larger quarters and was vacating offices they had rented at Fort Missoula. Now Building T-2, historically known as Post Headquarters, is the headquarters for Vital Ground.
Not only is our office spacious habitat for Vital Ground staff, but we are surrounded by gracious grounds and have become part of a many-faceted history. Fort Missoula was founded in 1877, when two companies of the U.S. Army's Seventh Infantry were stationed here during the American Indian conflicts. In turn, the Fort was home to the 24th and 25th Black Infantry Regiments in the 1880's and 1890's; a World War I training school for Army auto mechanics; and the Fourth Infantry Regiment, which supervised Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers during the Great Depression.
During World War II, Fort Missoula served, sadly, as an internment camp for Italian detainees and Japanese-American citizens. After 1947, it continued as a base for Army National Guard and Naval Reserve units.
Today, Fort Missoula is home to the U.S. Forest Service's Lolo National Forest headquarters, Bureau of Land Management's regional headquarters, and numerous nonprofit organizations, including the National Forest Foundation.
In April 2000, the Northern Rockies Heritage Center received title to much of the property, now designated as the Fort Missoula Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds encompass thirteen historic buildings, open spaces, tree-lined roads, a small military cemetery, and a parade ground surrounded by an arc of elegant buildings on "Officer's Row."
Built in 1906, our building originally served as the Post Exchange and a recreation hall for soldiers; and in 1962 became the Post Headquarters. Over the years, it also housed a Naval Reserve training center, Forest Service offices, the U.S. Army facilities manager, the Montana Natural History Center—and now Vital Ground. In addition to Vital Ground's offices, the building contains the spacious Heritage Hall—a wonderful space for special events, managed by the Northern Rockies Heritage Center.
Come visit us!