Libby

Chris Sawicki

Libby, MT

Libby sits humbly in the Kootenai River Valley at the base of the Cabinet Mountain Range. Combining authentic mountain experiences and breathtaking scenery with abundant outdoor recreation, area attractions include Libby Dam, Ross Creek Cedar Grove, the Kootenai River and Kootenai Falls, and a golf course complete with spectacular views and wildlife watching. Soak up Libby's charm at the local brewery or museum, or, for a knock-your-socks-off experience, take a walk across the swinging bridge above the falls.

Chambers + Visitor Information

Annual Events

Parks

History

The first white men in the area were traders and trappers from British fur companies. They came into the area as early as 1809 looking for beaver to supply the demand back east for beaver hats. There were many posts built by early traders along the Kootenai River that served the general trading purpose. None of these structures remain today. In the early 1800s a Canadian explorer named David Thompson traveled into the Kootenai River and used it as a navigational guide through the area. He portaged around the falls and used marks on the trail left by the Kootenai Indians. It is believed that no tribe made a permanent home in Libby alot of tribes used the area for hunting and spiritual purposes. The Kootenai Falls on the Kootenai River is still sacred to the local Indians, it is a place where the tribal members commune with spiritual forces.

The Libby area was important for its many silver-lead mines. Activity grew during the summer of 1867 when success grew along Libby Creek. The boom was short and deserted by the 1870s. Vermiculite deposits were located in the early 1900s on Rainy Creek of Libby. A local rancher named Ed Alley explored the old gold mining tunnels and noticed that when he stuck his candle into the wall the material around the candle had swollen and turned golden in color. In 1919 he bought the Rainy Creek claims and started the Zonolite Company, and he discovered it had good insulating qualities. It then became a product used in insulation, and plaster. Many people used the product for insulation in their houses in Libby. The W.R. Grace Company bought the mine and operated it from 1963 till 1990. The vermiculite mine in Libby was a huge employer of many libby townspeople.

The earliest ranches in the area were near the mouth of Libby Creek in the late 1880s. The settlers worked at the Libby Placers and built homes and mills along Libby and Flower Creek. The stream Libby Creek was named by prospectors in the 1860s after one of their daughters and it is believed that the town of Libby was named after the creek. The town grew quickly in the early 1900s and many buisnesses were opening. In 1906 a terrible fire swept through downtown libby destroying alot of the original business buildings. The first school was built in 1892, the first church was the Methodist Church in 1897. The first homes were built in the early 1890s, the first newspaper was the Libby Miner in 1892 and telephone service came to Libby and Troy around 1913.

Upcoming Events

Oct 31

The Farmers Market at Libby

October 31st at 3 p.m.

Market at Libby 905 West 9th Libby, MT

Featured Listings

Cabinet Mountain Brewing Co.
206 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406-293-BREW
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Country Inn
1020 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.2092
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Evergreen Motel
808 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4178
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Kootenai Angler, Cabins and River Bend Restaurant
13546 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7578 | 800.322.9339
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Libby Area Chamber of Commerce
905 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4167
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Sandman Motel
31901 U.S. Highway 2
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.8831
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Venture Inn
1015 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7711
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Venture Inn Restaurant
1015 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7711
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Woodland RV Park
31480 U.S. Highway 2
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.8395
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1st Ascent Climbing & Fitness
412 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
4063000450
Airbnb
Short-term Rentals in Western Montana
844.234.2500
Amish Farm to Market
5725 Farm to Market Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.9775
Boutique Brielle
308 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.291.9020
Camp Creek Coffee Roasters
316 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.334.7507
Farmers Market at Libby
905 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4167
Gracious Table
1449 Minnesota Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.263.7485
Henry's Restaurant
405 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7911
Heron's Roost Cabin Rental
293 FDR 228
Libby, MT 59923
406-293-3530
Koocanusa Resort and Marina
23911 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7474
Kootenai Country Montana Chainsaw Carving Championships
1015 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.291.7893
Kootenai River Fishing Charters LLC
406.293.5311
Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo
1301 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
Libby Area Business Association
302 California Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
Libby Memorial Events Center
111 E. Lincoln Blvd.
Libby, MT 59935
406.293.9643
Libby Sports Center
204 W. Ninth St.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4641
Meadowlark Log Homes
50 Meadowlark Lane
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.8707
Riverfront Blues Festival
Riverfront Park Pavilion
Libby, MT 59923
406.291.0185
Rocky Mountain Music and Collectables
516 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.8238
Silver Bow Outfitters
500 E. Fisher Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4868
The Heritage Museum
34067 U.S. Highway 2
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.7521
The Hidden Chapel
1207 Utah Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.334.1056
The Huckleberry House of Libby
1004 Main Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.9720
The Keep
102 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
406.871.8765
The Yaak River Hideaway
242 Obsidian Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.9357
Treewell Acres
1301 State Highway 37
Libby, MT 59923
Turner Mountain
Pipe Creek Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.2468
Vrbo
Vacation Rentals in Western Montana
877.202.4291