Funding for encoding this finding
aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
Historical Note
The city of Missoula began as the town of Hell Gate, incorporated in
1860. Hell Gate received its name from the Native Americans. Before the
settlement of the whites the Flathead Indians used the valley as a stopping
place to dig up the Bitterroot plant, a staple in their diet.
Hell Gate Town, Missoula County, Washington Territory was incorporated
in 1860 and dissolved in 1866. Missoula County encompassed present-day Missoula
and Deer Lodge Counties, as well as a good portion of land north and south of
present day Missoula County. Hell Gate Town was located at the confluence of
the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. By 1861 the town had a dozen buildings,
including what was later to become the Missoula Mercantile.
In 1863, Missoula County reverted to the Idaho territory when it was
created in that year. Missoula County then shifted its boundaries to look more
like its present day boundaries dividing the Bitterroot Mountains from the
Rocky Mountains. In 1864 the population started to shift eastward toward the
Missoula Mills, and by the time Hell Gate Town disbanded only a couple of
businesses were left.
On December 14, 1866, Missoula Mills became the county seat of
Missoula county, the "Mills" portion was later dropped. The first county
commissioners, elected in 1865, were C.C. O'Keefe, H.W. Miller, Fred Loveland,
and John Chatfield.
Content Description
This collection includes records from various agencies within the
Missoula city government. It is divided into 22 series: Assessment Books, Cash
Receipts Journal, City Clerk's Annual Financial Statement, City Civil Docket,
City of Missoula Ordinances, City of Missoula Record of Communicable Diseases,
City of Missoula Resolutions, Collections and Distributions Journal, Court Fine
Records, Microfilm, Misdemeanor Docket, Police Court Docket, Record Book of
Road Poll Tax, Register of Prisoners, Register of Warrants and Bonds Issued,
Scrapbooks, Special Improvement District Assessments, State Docket, Town
Council Meeting Minutes, Traffic Docket, Treasurer's Financial Records, and
Miscellaneous including city officials' photographs.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of
Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and
The University of Montana--Missoula.
Restrictions on Use :
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and
any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of
Montana.
Preferred Citation :
[Name of document], City of Missoula (Mont.) Records, Archives and
Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of
Montana--Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The collection is divided into twenty-two series:
Series I: Assessment Books, 114 volumes, 1911-1955
Series II: Cash Receipts Journal, 2 volumes, 1979-1982
Series III: City Clerk's Annual Financial Statement, 0.3 linear feet,
1926-1970
Series IV: City Civil Docket, 1 volume, 1967-1977
Series V: Ordinances, 14 volumes, 1889-2008
Series VI: Record of Communicable Diseases, 1 volume, 1907-1940
Series VII: Resolutions, 35 volumes, 1896-2009
Series VIII: Collections and Distributions Journal, 2 volumes,
1980-1982
Series IX: Court Fine Records, 6 volumes, 1967-1979
Series X: Microfilm, 5 reels, 1971-1986
Series XI: Misdemeanor Docket, 16 volumes, 1973-1988
Series XII: Police Court Docket, 56 volumes, 1888-1973
Series XIII: Record book of Road Poll Tax, 1 volume, 1934-1936
Series XIV: Register of Prisoners, 7 volumes, 1903-1954
Series XV: Register of Warrants and Bonds Issued, 2 volumes,
1955-1959
Series XVI: Scrapbooks, 2 volumes, 1914-1922
Series XVII: Special Improvement District Assessments, 9 volumes,
1913-1966
Series XVIII: State Docket, 7 volumes, 1975-1977
Series XIX: City Council Meeting Minutes, 60 volumes, 1883-2009
Series XX: Traffic Docket, 44 volumes, 1970-1977
Series XXI: Treasurer's Financial Records, 6 volumes, 1913-1968
Series XXII: Miscellaneous, 0.2 linear feet, 1937-2005
Custodial History :
The collection came to archives in eight parts. The first part came
from Dr. Ross Levine in 1979. The remaining parts came from the City of
Missoula in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2005, and 2010.
Acquisition Information :
Gifts of Dr. Ross Levine, 1979 and the City of Missoula,
1987-2010.
Processing Note :
The collection's inherent structure was left intact, though two
entities (materials from Dr. Levine and from the City of Missoula) were
integrated into one collection. In 1998 some newly acquired ordinance,
resolution and town council minutes books were also integrated and the entire
collection was extensively re-described. During integration most volume numbers
were changed in the guide for consistency and coherency. Original numbers that
were printed on the volumes remain. In 2010, additional ordinance, resolution,
town council minutes books and miscellaneous materials were integrated.
Related Materials :
Additional records may be found at the City of Missoula's records
management facility. The City of Missoula holds microfilm copies of many of the
records in this collection.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Assessment Books , 1911-1955
114 volumes
Assessment books produced annually for the city of Missoula listed
citizens (alphabetically) and corporations as property owners. These records
contained each entity's mailing address, property locations, and value
information for the property owned, and improvements made, and any taxes
owed.
The series contains journals with columns for the date, person
from whom the money was received, amount received, a receipt number, the docket
number, a notice to appear number, and a remarks.
Series III: City Clerk's Annual Financial
Statement , 1926-1970
0.5 linear feet
The series contains the annual financial statements to the State
Examiner. The statement lists the officers and general information about the
year along with listing the assets and liabilities for the city. It also
includes the revenue collected from taxes, licenses, fees, and various other
sources. The expenditures and fund accounts and information about the city
bonds are also included.
This series of dockets consists of the names of the parties
involved, the charge, information about the proceedings, the attorneys present,
and the judge's decision.
This series consists of Missoula city ordinances, which are local
laws or regulations enacted by the city council under powers given to it by the
state. The copy consists of what the ordinance is, the amount of council
members by which it passed, and the approval date. Materials are signed by the
city clerk and the mayor.
The series is arranged chronologically by ordinance.
Series VI: Record of Communicable Diseases
, 1907-1940
1 volume
The records list name, gender and age of patient. It also lists
the disease, dates of onset, report and quarantine, where the patient was
before getting the disease, if they died or recovered, and who reported the
illness.
This series contains copies of resolutions passed the Missoula
City Council. The resolutions, which are formal expressions of opinion, will,
or intent by an official body or assembled group, include why the act should be
done and how it should be resolved. They also include maps, invoices, charts
and lists. The resolutions are dated and signed by the city clerk finance
officer and mayor.
The series is arranged chronologically by resolution.
Container(s)
Description
Volume
129
Resolutions 1-64 , 1896-1910
130
Resolutions 64-458 , 1910-1919
131
Resolutions 458-897 , 1919-1932
132
Resolutions 921-2174; Minutes of
meetings when resolutions 898-920 passed , 1932-1960
Series VIII: Collections and Distributions
Journal , 1980-1982
2 volumes
The series consists of the journals from the city court of Wallace
Clark. The columns of the journal state the date, the name of the defendant,
the docket number, the notice to appear number, the collection number, the
distribution of fines, remarks and totals. The distribution of fines is
separated into four categories; driver education, 6
Records in this series contain the names of defendants, the case
number, the receipt number, and violation. It also states whether the defendant
paid by cash or check, the registry, and the accumulated balance of the
city.
The dockets are arranged in two parts within each volume. The
first part has an alphabetical index to locate the names charged. The second
part consists of the misdemeanor including the name charged, the date, guilty
or not guilty, the fine assessed, any jail sentence, a bond forfeited and
receipt number. There is also a copy of the misdemeanor by the uniformed police
officer.
The dockets are arranged in two parts within each volume. The
first part has alphabetical tabs to locate the names charged. The second part
consists of the defendant's name, who charged that defendant, on what account
of the charge, the sentence and the fine paid.
Series XIII: Record book of Road Poll Tax
, 1934-1936
1 volume
The book lists the name of the people taxed, the date and the
amount. It also includes the Dog Tax (1940-1941) listing the name and address
of person taxed, the amount charged, and the type, age, and name of dog.
The register includes the register number, time of detention, the
name of prisoner, the offense, the date of arrest, place, when discharged, the
arresting officer, and any remarks.
Series XV: Register of Warrants and Bonds
Issued , 1955-1959
2 volumes
The register lists to whom the bond was issued, when issued and
paid. They also include the warrant of bond number, fund warrant accounts and
credits, the city expense and item debits.
Series XVII: Special Improvement District
Assessments , 1913-1966
9 volumes
Six volumes of the series deal with district assessments. They
give a description of property assessed, the name of the owner, amount
assessed, and individual installment information. The first volume is divided
by named district; Cooks, Hammond, Hammond #2, Hammond #3, Knowles, Knowles #2,
Knowles #3, Montana, and So. Missoula.
Three volumes are individualized into SID assessment
delinquencies, 1937-1963, Sidewalk/Curb assessments, 1921-1963, and a volume
which contains four different assessments.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
SID assessment delinquencies lists a
page tax book, to whom the delinquency assessed, a description of property,
taxes, and who paid the fine. The sidewalk/curb assessments is sorted by
addition which lists the owner, a description of the property, date assessed,
amount of assessment, and installment information. The last volume deals with
sidewalk/curb assessment, 1925-1932, street paving SID, 1925-1942, lighting
district assessments, 1939-1948, and sewer SID, 1941-1961. The assessments list
the owner, a description of the property, date of assessment, amount of
assessment, and individual installment information./The series is arranged
alphabetically.
Volume
239
Financial property information by
Missoula districts , 1913-1944
Volume
240
Sidewalk/curb assessments
, 1921-1963
Volume
241
Sidewalk/curb, street paving,
lighting, and sewer assessments , 1925-1932
The docket lists the name of person charged, the offense, the date
of appearance, a guilty or not guilty plea, the court proceedings, the
sentence, a bond if issued, and the signature of the court clerk. These
offenses were taken by the Montana State Patrol in Missoula County. There is
also a copy of the official complaint for each offense.
Series XIX: City Council Meeting Minutes
, 1883-2009
60 volumes
These volumes document the minutes of the Missoula City Council.
The minutes include the call to order and role call of council members. They
also contain an approval of typed minutes from the last meeting. An agenda for
the meeting is also present which includes items for final consideration,
decisions of ordinances and resolutions, motions by council members and the
final decisions.
The docket of traffic offenses includes the name of the person
charged, the offense, the date of appearance, a guilty or not guilty plea, the
court proceedings, the sentence, a bond if issued, and copy of the uniform
complaint.
Series XXI: Treasurer's Financial Records
, 1913-1968
6 volumes
The different volumes that make up this series are: Treasurer's
Special Warrant Register, 1913-1968, Ledger of city accounts, 1953-1964,
Treasurer's Daily Bank Balances, 1960-1965, Treasurer's Monthly Report on cash
in funds, 1960-1964, Treasurer's Daily Cash Receipts, 1961-1964, and
Treasurer's Cash Book, 1961-1966.
Container(s)
Description
Volume
347
Special Warrant Register
, 1913-1968
348
Ledger of city accounts with
monthly financial records , 1953-1964
The series contains the minutes for a meeting of the Committee of
the Whole Caucus, voter information about a city charter, and photographs of
city council members and mayors.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
1/5
Committee of the Whole Caucus meeting
minutes, 1982
1/6
Missoula City-County Charter voter
information, 1976
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Form or Genre Terms :
Court
records--Montana--Missoula
Dockets--Montana--Missoula
Financial
records--Montana--Missoula
Ordinances--Montana--Missoula
Public records--Montana
-- Missoula
Resolutions--Montana--Missoula
Subject Terms :
Communicable
diseases--Montana--Missoula
Municipal
government--Montana--Missoula--Records and correspondence