Brockway, MT

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.

Consider making a donation to the Redwater Community Foundation.

The Redwater Community Foundation is a permanent fund, known as an endowment. From which the principal can never be spent. Earnings from the endowment will be used every year to help meet the needs of our entire community.

By Contributing to the Redwater Community Foundation (RCF), you have ensured that your gift will grow and continue to give every year to the community. It can be looked at as an annual gift that will continue to give forever.

Anything of value can be given to the RCF and there are many tax benefits that a donor can receive.

The Redwater Community Foundation is affiliated with the Montana Community Foundation, which has professional staff to help donors with specific questions. More information on the Montana Community Foundation can be found at the web site: www.mtcf.org or call (406) 443-8313.

For any local questions, input or to donate please feel free to contact one of the volunteer board members, Lindy Wright, Greg Rolandson, Jiggs Wolf, Emily Guldborg, and Tod Kasten.

To make a donation, please make the check payable to the: MCF / Redwater Community Foundation Fund and mail to:

Redwater Community Foundation Fund
C/O Montana Community Foundation
PO Box 1145
Helena, Montana 59624

Another GREAT result of the Horizons process and community meetings was the creation of the Redwater Community Foundation (RCF). The RCF formed a partnership with the Montana Community Foundation ( http://www.mtcf.org/ ). This partnership created a local community foundation that will make available to the community (the entire area of McCone County) a permanent method of making available some funding for local needs and projects. It also makes available the opportunity for those that are willing to donate a way to permanently give to the community to help meet its needs.

The Foundation has been active and has as of 4/1/08 raised: $20,000.00

And has Given:
$3,000 - Brockway Fire Truck
$1,000 - Multi-purpose building at the Fair grounds
$750.00 - New ambulance
$250.00 - Playground equipment at Prairie Elk School

The RCF has also receive a grant from Montana Community Foundation in the amount of $15,000
to build the concrete foundation for the new Multi-Purpose building at the Fair Grounds.

The RCF has generated a number of nice short stories in the local Newspaper and has been a wonderful asset right from the beginning.

The local area Chamber of Commerce has worked with the group to develop a web page:
http://www.circle-montana.com/foundation.html

Brockway community members have gone through Study Circles, leadership training, visioning and made action plans to make their community better. That was a first time that such a diverse group had gotten together to examine their past and their future and looked at poverty. They so enjoyed the process they had promised to do it every few years. Poverty could best be defined as lack of resources in the small dying town that no longer has a grade school but used to be the largest cattle shipping site in MT because of it’s location half way between the Missouri and the Yellowstone. Now as the population ages, lack of resources means lack of medical care - no dentist, no optometrist or pharmacist and only one physician assistant in the whole county. They are proud to be the first Medical Assistance Facility in the nation offering short term medical care in the clinic attached to the nursing home. They are an independent resilient group used to making do. That includes taking someone elses’s used item (the Wolf Point Stampede chute) and recycling it for the Brockway Dairy Day rodeo. That’s good collaboration between communities and fellow rodeo supporters.

The Brockway Horizons steering committee came together as a group and has worked with the Brockway Commercial Club to work together to help keep the effort started in the Brockway Community moving forward. The partnership with MSU Extension and the Northwest Area Foundation has been a huge help to the community. We will always be grateful to the Northwest Area Foundation and the hand up and help that their efforts have provided to our community.

The Brockway community rallied around their western heritage and collaborated with the MT Dept of Transportation to get this sign boasting of Brockway’s Heritage. It was very timely as the last 13 miles of highway between Terry and Brockway was just paved this last year cutting off 95 miles for those traveling from the west on I-94 to Fort Peck Dam or north to the hi-line. Brockway will be 100 in 2010.

State Representative Dave Kasten (a Brockway community member) was instrumental in knowing who to contact and in working with the State of Montana Department of Transportation in helping this project become a reality.

The building and placing of this sign was a good project for our little community. It showed that we can reach out to others for help, and that they will help as long as we are working together as best we can already.

The sign created some great new partnerships for us. The main one was the Montana Department of Transportation that was very helpful in putting together the sign and placing it on a turnout just off the highway at Brockway. We also made a contact with a great sign maker that has been very helpful and willing to work with us with limited funds and by providing great input on what we needed to make this and our other sign project a success. The business is Sign of the Times from Glendive, MT.

The community, or at least a few of the leaders of the community, understand that it is not just money that is poverty. It is the lack of access to typical resources, like doctors, mental health, good roads, 24hr fuel stations or convienience stores. We understand that public policy can impact these types of items and issues. That we have to try to participate and provide input.

This project showed us that we can still come together as a community, decide to do something, and get it done. We try to insure the community will continue to participate by letting everyone know by email, newspaper and posters in the local restaurant and post office what is going on. We have also tried to increase the typical attendance of the community at the local Brockway Commercial Club meetings. The Commercial Club is a non-profit organization that is working to take the lead, like a chamber of of commerce.

We are encouraging everyone to help, to bring their kids, to call to get a ride and everything we can think of to be inclusive and make sure that money is not needed just their attendance.

Another good partnership that was started was with the Circle Montana Chamber of Commerce. They have placed a Brockway web page on their web site. They help us get the word out on what takes place in Brockway. This will help us sustain our activity and insure that others in our general area know that Brockway is working to improve and continue to be a part of the overall County.

We believe the study circles have renewed our feelings that community meetings are healthy and that everyone can participate. That we are not alone, that we matter and we can have a say. I believe we see leadership as a community issue. Feeling that we matter and can have impact gives more of a feeling of pride of ownership in the community and a belonging.

The process also has helped us by expanding our leadership base as we found that some individuals had strengths in areas that we needed. By them feeling comfortable (since they had the knowledge or skill) in taking charge with a particular area. Example: Calling on the Local State Legislative Representative to obtain their help to help determine who in the large Montana Department of Transportation we needed to talk to. This was another partnership that was recognized. The Brockway community does have an elected State Representative within it.

The meetings of the local Brockway Commercial Club are more of a study circle format with everyone feeling comfortable with speaking up. And, everyone encourages others to speak up.
This has helped us be more aware of the strengths of our community members. This also encourages the converstations and planning that takes place as everyone is asked if they know anything or anyone that might be of help for a given need or situation.

The Brockway community is energized and is feeling better about it self. This positive feeling will hopefully continue, we will work to try to keep it that way.

Brockway is now aware of the Great Northern Development Corporation that is to help businesses and individuals with business related technical assistance and some small grants and loan funds. We are also aware of other grant resources that are available to the community. These new found resources will be good partners for the future.

Howdy! Brockway is a family oriented frontier community with a pioneering spirit that is steeped in homestead hospitality, history, and out-door adventure. Keeping in mind its roots, the community looks forward to welcoming out-door adventurers as well as families and companies that would work in today’s and tomorrow’s value-added ag business and all energy and related industries. Stop in and experience the beautiful scenery, wildlife, dinosaurs, wide open spaces and in July take in the world famous annual Brockway Dairy Days Rodeo!