Welcome to Monarch, Montana

Monarch, Montana, is a mountain village located in the Little Belt Mountains of Central Montana. It is completely surrounded by the Lewis and Clark National Forest. U.S. 89, the Park-to-Park Highway, which connects Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, goes through Monarch. The portion of this road which goes over the Little Belt Mountains has been designated a Scenic Byway by the National Forest Service.

Monarch was founded in 1889 to service the lead/zinc/silver mines at Barker/Hughesville and at Neihart. It was a railroad junction with branch lines going to both mining districts. After mining ceased, population in the town dwindled to the point where the town disincorporated itself and Monarch could properly be described as a village. Now our population is growing. Restaurants and motels serve the stream of recreationists who use the National Forest. Some residents commute to Great Falls each day. Many Great Falls residents have summer homes in the Monarch area. Several companies, which have headquarters in Monarch, manufacture equipment and ship it to other parts of the country and the world.

The Monarch Area Community Association (MACA) was founded to represent the interests of the community. It has been active in issues which involve the entire community. (Monarch Area Community Association)