Skiers in costumes for one of the first Winter Carnivals in Whitefish, Montana. Photo from the Stumptown Historical Society, Whitefish History, Whitefish Photos, Whitefish Museum

Stumptown Stories

Enjoy our favorite stories and photos from Whitefish history. We look at one topic each month and share a few of the moments that helped Whitefish grow from Stumptown to Ski Town. If you have a topic you want us to cover, please contact us at info@stumptownhistoricalsociety.org.

Glam, Glitter, and Handcuffs!

66 Whitefish Winter Carnival highlights - one from every year of the Carnival so far! Also, 17 color photos from the 1970 Winter Carnival pu

Feb 719 min read

Lights, Camera, Lacy!

Photographer, businessman, and community activist Marion Lacy shot the photos that turned Whitefish into a destination.

Dec 20, 20245 min read

Whitefish’s First Business Magnate and Community Icon: M.M. Hori

This businessman built his empire when Whitefish was still young, but you've probably never heard of him!

Nov 20, 20247 min read

Waterskiing Stunts and Surfing Dogs

A look at when the Aquatic Sports Club ruled Whitefish Lake with their daring stunts on surfboards and waterskis.

Aug 1, 20245 min read

Surviving Whitefish: Tales from the Deadliest Job

Riding the rails used to be riddled with danger. Explore the train wrecks, mishaps, and avalanches that dominated Whitefish's history.

Jul 2, 20246 min read

The First Baseball Game

Long before the Range Riders threw their first pitch, Whitefish spent its time watching and playing America's favorite pastime - baseball!

May 9, 20245 min read

Top 10 Flathead Ski Hills (that aren't Big Mountain)

Sure, you have skied Big Mountain, but what about Little Mountain? These are the top ski hills in Whitefish, Glacier, Kalispell, & beyond.

Mar 15, 20248 min read

Stories of Yetis, Klowns, & Carnival Mysteries

Learn the lore behind the Whitefish Winter Carnival icons like Ullr, the Royalty, Vikings, Yetis, Klowns, Penguins, and more.

Jan 28, 20249 min read

A Christmas Surprise from 1934

Take a step back in time with us to Christmas Day in 1934. Bing Crosby's "June in January" topped the charts, FDR sat in...

Dec 21, 20233 min read

Whitefish's Secret People

Meet the people behind the scenes who built Whitefish into what it is today.

Dec 1, 20233 min read

100 Years of Sports

Exploring the best stories and photos from Whitefish sports history.

Nov 2, 20233 min read

Train Car Schoolroom & More

Over 100 years of Whitefish School stories and photos. Go Bulldogs! September means it's time for parents to rejoice and kids to groan as...

Sep 22, 20233 min read

Our Secret Huckleberry Spot...

Hiking, Huckleberries, and Hole-in-Ones - more summer adventures in Whitefish!

Aug 4, 20233 min read

Stumptown Summer Fun

Do you know the secret to summer fun in Whitefish? For over 100 years, the answer to finding summer fun has been...

Jul 1, 20233 min read

Museum Treasures

The Whitefish Museum sits inside the Depot building at the north end of downtown. Inside its doors, you’ll find a curated collection of...

May 20, 20231 min read

75 Years of Big Mountain

75 years on the Big comes to an end next week! To celebrate, we scoured the archives for some of our favorite photos that show...

Apr 1, 20232 min read

The Great Northern Iceman

Here comes the iceman! Ice delivery via horse-drawn sled was a staple of Whitefish throughout...

Mar 4, 20231 min read

Winter Carnival Memories

One of the popular events in the early Carnival years was the snow-shovel race. One competitor would pull their partner down...

Feb 3, 20232 min read

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