Kids chasing balloons, babies in carrying seats and 47 adults attended Brockway’s vision event November 9 at the Brockway Supper Club. A look at Brockway in the past, present and future was sandwiched between a delicious roast beef dinner prepared by the Brockway Supper Club and the dance by Aces band of Circle. Peggy Iba, Horizons Community Coordinator facilitated the Visioning meeting, by first looking back at Brockway through the decades, with lively stories mostly being filled in by Charlie Moline.
Tod Kasten shared the steering committee’s work and the results of Study Circles last winter with suggested action ideas and a draft of Brockway’s vision statement. They were appreciative of how generous the Northwest Area Foundation had been to Brockway with improvements to the rodeo grounds and the Rodeo being added to Circle’s webpage. $8000 is committed in June to help jumpstart some projects the Brockway group identifies.
People at each table discussed and tweaked the vision statement. Bob Yarger shared he didn’t want our area to be “Californized”. Charlie Moline said “Brockway celebrated the 75th Jubilee in 1985 as a last hurrah for Brockway and here we are almost 25 years later, still going, planning for our 100th.” 14 action ideas for Brockway were brought up by the group from sharing it’s rich pioneer history to preparing for coal development. Everyone got 3 sticky dots to vote for their favorite. Peggy stressed that if your pet project didn’t get the votes, it can still happen if you and others have passion to work on it. She mentioned the fiberglass Paddlefish Art auction which raised $10,000 for the Dawson Co. Art Gallery, was a project that didn’t get selected by the Glendive Horizon group, but it still happened.
The top six projects were listed and people signed up where they were interested in making them happen. Everyone got a reminder card to fill in what they could start on tomorrow to make their community better.
Top Action Plans ( Don’t list votes in paper)
· Sign of rodeo contestants who performed at Brockway Dairy Day and qualified for National Finals through the years (21)
· Maintain Brockway – clean up community (16)
· Replace 1954 fire truck with something newer (16)
· Gas station or Gas Availability (15)
· Coal Development (12)
· Bathrooms & kitchen for community hall (10)
Other suggestions were historical markers where buildings used to be. Historic map of Brockway painted on community hall wall or in brochure. Repaint old Brockway bus and use as a tourist sign at Brockway turnoff or at the park. Salvage the depot. Rest station or information center.
Maintain Brockway – clean up community Gas availability - Gus
Darby Idland,
Summer Oliver (paint)
Firetruck Replacement
Ty Eissinger 485-2506
Teri Eissinger 485-2770
Conrad Moline 485-2770
Nancy Stempel 485-2278
Community Hall upgrade
Connie Eissinger 485-2274
Nancy Stempel 485-2278
Teri Eissinger 485-2504
Darby Idland 495-2961
The next phase of Horizons, from January to June is capacity building where Horizons funds will pay for training needs identified, such as grant writing or getting an IRS non-profit status in order to apply for grants. For suggestions or more information, contact Tod Kasten, Darby Idland, Heidi Berry, Tara Hubing, Ken Nelson or Peggy Iba at the Dawson County Extension Office..
Brockway – The past
Decades1910 In 1910, the three Brockway brothers filed on adjoining homesteads along the fertile Redwater River near here. A small trading center on brother James’s homestead provided supplies and other services to their neighbors. By 1913, the settlement’s importance to the area had grown enough to justify opening a post office. That same year, the Great Northern Railway announced plans, which did not materialize, to build a line across central Montana and surveyed the current Brockway town site. The Town became a thrivingcommunity with over 20 businesses including a bank and creamery.1915 – First high school built in the area. Team – the Brockway Rangers. ( The Brockway Bulldogs was a town team established later.) Brockway built a courthouse, vying for the county seat.1919- McCone County established, Circle was chosen as county seat.1918 – Brockway Dairy Day established in celebration of a herd of dairy cows arriving in the area. A Dairy cow auction was held. Brockway Dairy Day is one of the 4 oldest rodeos in Montana.
1920s The Northern Pacific Railway’s Redwater branch line reached the town in 1928. Grain elevators started.
1930s Joe Cobb was colorful character from Virginia, mentioned by many oldtimers when stories circulate about Brockway and rodeos. Phil Haglund mentioned Joe Cobb circling his jalopy in the front yard of the Haglund ranch until it stopped (no brakes) and introducing himself to Beachy Haglund. They developed a special friendship, both being from the south.Brockway a major shipping point for livestock reaching number one in the U.S. in 1934. Horses shipped out of Brockway once a week due to it’s location 100 miles from the Missouri and the Yellowstone, both risky to herd livestock across. Winnett was another large shipping point.Stanley Forester landing a B29 near Brockway as he stopped to visit his dad.
1940s During the war years, rodeos were cancelled.WWII say many from area involved: Phil Haglund flew a record 86 bomb missions. Ole Ueland first to step on ____ soil. Merlin Shennum a member of the 101 Airborne, and many more locals involved in fighting for our freedom. 1945 Brockway High School closes.1946 Brockway Rodeo moved to it’s present location.
1950s Brockway boasted a drive-in theater that operated from 1950 to 1962, the smallest town in the USA with a drive-in. Closed when televisions became popular.
1960s Sheep Mountain Hall moved in to become the Community Hall. “We and the Others”, a rock band of Doc Sargent, Kelly Fillenworth, Roger Eissinger and Tom Hoover entertained at the hall. It was required to have an adult on hand when renting the hall. Charlie Moline said he had just turned 21 so he was the appointed adult chaperone.
1970s Lynn Beason started the Iron J Bar and Café, now the Brockway Supper Club.1976 “As It Was Yesterday” Book of Brockway families and history written.1978 – Long remembered as area’s worst blizzard
1980s 1984 -Railroad to Brockway closed1985 – After a year of planning spearheaded by Dale Bond, the 75th Brockway Jubilee was held with special night show before Dairy Day. Charlie Moline said it was supposed to be a last hurrah for Brockway but “here we are almost 25 years later planning the 100th.1989- Montana Centennial Mail Ride recreated for the 100th anniversary of the territory.Brockway elementary school closed.
1990s Highway 200 between Brockway & Circle redone.
2000 2006 – Byway 252 connected Brockway to Terry completely paved.2007 – New Brockway historic sign erected.Redwater Community Foundation Established
2010 Brockway 100 Years Old.
Brockway Vision
Howdy! Brockway is a family-oriented frontier community with a pioneering spirit that is steeped in homestead hospitality, history, hard work and hard play. Keeping in mind its roots, this proud community looks forward to welcoming visitors as well as families and companies that would work in today’s and tomorrow’s value-added ag businesses and energy related industries. Experience the Big Sky country, wildlife, dinosaurs, wide open spaces and don’t miss the world famous Brockway Dairy Days Rodeo the third Saturday in July!
Top Action Plans
· Sign of rodeo contestants who performed at Brockway Dairy Day and qualified for National Finals through the years (21)
· Maintain Brockway – clean up community (16)
· Replace 1954 fire truck with something newer (16)
· Gas station or Gas Availability (15)
· Coal Development (12)
· Bathrooms & kitchen for community hall (10)
Other suggestions were historical markers where buildings used to be. Historic map of Brockway painted on community hall wall or in brochure. Repaint old Brockway bus and use as a tourist sign at Brockway turnoff or at the park. Salvage the depot. Rest station or information center.
Maintain Brockway – clean up community Gas availability - Gus
Darby Idland,
Summer Oliver (paint)
Firetruck Replacement
Ty Eissinger 485-2506
Teri Eissinger 485-2770
Conrad Moline 485-2770
Nancy Stempel 485-2278
Community Hall upgrade
Connie Eissinger 485-2274
Nancy Stempel 485-2278
Teri Eissinger 485-2504
Darby Idland 495-2961
Brockway Historic Highway sign (erected in 2007)
In 1910, the three Brockway brothers filed on adjoining homesteads along the
fertile Redwater River near here. A small trading center on brother James’s
homestead provided supplies and other services to their neighbors. By 1913,
the settlement’s importance to the area had grown enough to justify opening
a post office. That same year, the Great Northern Railway announced plans,
which did not materialize, to build a line across central Montana and
surveyed the current Brockway town site. The Town became a thriving
community with over 20 businesses. Brockway built the first high school, in
1916, and was in the running for the county seat of what is now McCone
County. In celebration of a herd of dairy cows arriving in 1918, one of
eastern Montana’s oldest and best rodeos, the Brockway Dairy Day Rodeo was
established. The Northern Pacific Railway’s Redwater branch line reached the
town in 1928. Brockway’s economy boomed as it became a major livestock
shipping point reaching number one in the U.S. in 1934. The small town even
boasted a drive-in theater that operated from 1950 to 1962. Brockway is now
a peaceful frontier community, proud of its past and optimistic about its
future.