Great Falls boomed during the 1950s

Link to July 11 Great Falls Tribune article.

Excerpt:   It was a time of growth and progress in what was then Montana's largest city, with a population in 1950 of 39,214 people, which exploded to 55,244 by the 1960 census. The city grew in almost every direction. The housing boom that followed the postwar baby boom accounted for almost one-fourth of the homes built in the city since its founding in 1884.

You could buy a three-bedroom house in Riverview with built-in appliances such as a disposal, washer and dryer, and a carport for $13,750. With $400 down, monthly installments ran $76.04.

Mortgage money was available and payrolls at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Anaconda Co. and area oil fields were steady. Wheat that sold for 77 cents a bushel in 1940 was going for $1.90. Malmstrom's base population was reported to be 5,000 military personnel and 500 civilians early in the decade. The Montana Air National Guard on Gore Hill became the first guard unit in the country to get jet aircraft.

Two Catholic schools — Great Falls Central Catholic High School and St. Joseph's Elementary School — were built, along with five public schools that included two junior highs — West and East — and three elementary schools — Longfellow, Lincoln, and Lewis and Clark.

Great Falls had become a modern city, with 113 miles of paved streets.

With 11 stories, the Country Club Tower Apartments was the tallest building in Montana.