Historic Preservation

Preserving our shared past

Historic Preservation is about a lot more than old buildings, it's about retaining our communal character.

With nine historic districts and 62 individually listed buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, Missoula's built past is a critical part of its contemporary charm.  From the Moon-Randolph Ranch to the Florence Building, the Milwaukee to the Northern Pacific Railroad depot, the Alien Detention Barracks at Fort Missoula to the Wilma Theater, our historic places help shape the character which makes Missoula unique.

Photo of Higgins Avenue with trolley tracks
As a Certified Local Government (CLG), the City of Missoula works to provide information, guidance and resources to community members, property owners, and elected leaders in all aspects of preservation related projects. The Historic Preservation Office (HPO) and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) work to facilitate appropriate preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of Missoula's existing buildings. In doing so, the HPO and HPC oversee preservation programs including the National Register of Historic Places, historic architecture and archaeological survey, review and compliance, preservation planning, and public education. The City of Missoula recognizes the many benefits that historic preservation can serve toward other initiatives as well, and integrates sustainability, economic incentive, and community development for the progression of preservation in Missoula as a whole.
#MTTIMETRAVELER Post a pic of your favorite past place to share with all Montanans

Historic Preservation Awards:

Public outreach and education are core values of the Historic Preservation Program here in Missoula. The Historic Preservation Commission annually recognizes individuals and groups who have restored or contributed to the preservation of historic properties with a public, catered, awards event during May, National Historic Preservation Month.
   

Tours of historic neighborhoods

are led by Commission members during Historic Preservation Month. Visit missoulapreservationawards.org for more information on National Historic Preservation Month and a calendar of upcoming tours and events.
 
Are you considering an addition to your historic home? The local Historic Preservation Commission is here to assist you! Historical Architects are available to guide your design to a level that is compatible with the historic fabric surrounding your property –free of charge!  Contact the Planning Section of Development Services at (406) 552-6628 for more information.
   
Historic Preservation Permits are required for alterations to historic properties that are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Laval Means, Planning Section Manager, will assist you in navigating the regulatory framework established in the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. See the list of properties subject to review by the Commission.  

Trolley-by-Bike Tour Map
   

HP Permit Issued for Fort Missoula Regional Park

 
An application for an Historic Preservation Permit was issued by the city of Missoula for the Fort Missoula Regional Park Development: Phases 1&2 in November, 2015. The City of Missoula Parks and Recreation Department are the project applicants, representing both the City and the County portions of the regional park. The project area, which included playfields, trails, and an Open space zoning designation, was recently annexed into the City of Missoula with an Open Space zoning designation and the Fort Missoula Historic Character Overlay District that extends to the limits of the Fort Missoula Historic District. The Fort Missoula Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and recently updated and expanded in 2012.
    
View the FMRP Historic Preservation Permit Application.
  

Historic Preservation Awards


 2017 Award Recipients


  • St. Patrick House - addition to structure at 501 W Alder
  • Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (documentary) An Alien Place:  The Fort Missoula Detention Camp, 1941-1944
  • Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (exhibit) The Place We Live 
  • Missoula City Cemetery - (historical tour) Stories & Stones 
    • Missoula County Paxson Paintings at the County Courthouse

Our site is under construction and we will soon have more information available. 

Historic Missoula