Bigfork was founded in 1901, about the time the hydroelectric plant at the mouth of the Swan River was built to supply electricity for Kalispell.
The electric company is still here where water from the river is diverted to a higher level, then dropped through turbines to generate power.
Located at an altitude of 2,900 feet in the spectacular mountains of northwestern Montana, the town of Bigfork hugs a sparkling blue bay where the
swift waters of the Swan River flow into Flathead Lake. With more than 180 miles of shoreline, Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake
west of the Mississippi, providing a scenic playground for fishing, boating and all varieties of water recreation.
The town of Bigfork is a picturesque and charming place. It is an exceptionally lovely, upscale, year-round resort village that is brimming with
world class art galleries, fine restaurants, a 27-hole golf course, live theatre and unique shops can all be found within a quaint Western setting.
Located nearby, Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall and the Swan Wilderness areas are full of wildlife and offer endless recreational
opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Chosen as "One of the 50 Great Towns of the West" and designated as "One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns of
the Nation," Bigfork offers a part of the West that you will never forget.
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse is considered one of the Northwest's finest repertory theaters. It is located in a modern, airconditioned theater
structure seating 450 people. The fast-paced, light singing, dancing and acting provide great family entertainment. The Broadway musicals which are
presented Monday through Saturday feature some of the most outstanding young talent in the country. Past performances include Fiddler on the Roof, My
fair Lady, Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun and the Music Man.
Bigfork is the gateway to the 91-mile Seeley-Swan Highway, MT 83. 'The Swan' runs between two majestic mountain ranges, past pristine lakes and
heavily wooded slopes.
Tourism and cherry orchards now support the local economy.
Courtesy of www.TravelMT.com and www.Bigfork.org
