LVCC 50: Anticipated mining boom spurred creation of Chamber in 1969

Explosive growth was on the horizon for Lincoln in early 1969.

Just 12 years before Lincoln's population and economic prospects saw a boost when, Highway 200 - then Highway 20 - officially opened in 1957, providing a direct route between Missoula and Great Falls.

In 1965, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company began exploring development of a copper and molybdenum ore body in the Heddleston mining district - now known as the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex- and by 1968 there was talk of a new mine.

By 1969 Anaconda was negotiating an agreement with the government of Chile to nationalize part of its holdings there, and there were hints ACM – in need of new deposits to exploit – was going to move forward with an open pit mine near the headwaters of the Blackfoot River. Although ACM officials were coy about their plans, residents here were hopeful the mine would bring economic prosperity for the Lincoln Valley.

By some estimates, the mine and a concentrator considered for Alice Creek would bring more than 3000 people to the Lincoln Valley.

With major growth in the cards, community leaders in Lincoln saw a need for some structured community planning. An application to the state for aid in community planning fell through in 1968, but in early 1969 Lincoln business leaders began exploring the idea of organizing themselves to help the valley.

On February 28, 1969, 28 Lincoln-area businessmen gathered at the Cornman Restaurant, a popular restaurant and truck stop next to the Lincoln Rodeo Grounds, to hear what Don Groen, director of Community/Membership Relations for the Montana State Chamber of Commerce, had to say.

According to the Lincoln Gazette, Groen described a local chamber of commerce as an organization of business, professional and community leaders working together to do things they couldn't do alone.

"A Chamber must involve itself in civic affairs to improve the community, so it is a better place to live and make a living...such as better schools, churches, parks roads, etc.," Groen told the group. "Economically, it must do all it can to foster an improved business climate by expanding present business and attracting new businesses. But a Chamber is only as good as its leadership: they must be willing to take criticism and see an activity through."

That meeting saw Lincoln's business leaders join together, determined to form a chamber of commerce for Lincoln to help tackle some of the problems facing the town, including the need for a sewage system, a need for planning and for a better school system.

Other pressing needs they identified will sound familiar to anyone who's been part of the myriad community development efforts since: economic growth, housing, connected business efforts, area advertising, better cooperation and people interested enough to work for the community.

At that Feb. 28 meeting, the group appointed a five-man steering committee comprised of Monty Bryan, Earl Athearn, Jessie Smith, Jean Sprott and Avery Johnson to attend a Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference in Great Falls the following month.

The committee met after the conference on March 14 and shaped the framework and bylaws for the new organization. They appointed a committee to nominate a president, vice president and secretary-treasurer, and they settled on a name: the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce.

April 16, 1969 effectively marked the birth of the LVCC.

That first public meeting discussed the Great Falls conference and sought to build local support for the new organization. According to the Gazette, the new organization originally opened its membership to "any person, firm, association, corporation, partnership or estate in good standing, interested in civic, educational, agricultural, industrial, and commercial progress" in the Lincoln Valley.

Charter memberships - promoted with the slogan "Buy a share in your community!" - cost businesses $15. Families could join for $10, and individual memberships were just $5.

At the Chamber's second meeting May 9, the ten-member board of directors, led by President Monty Bryant, Vice President Avery Johnson and Secretary-Treasurer Jean Sprott outlined what the organization was to stand for. With large community goals to tackle, its objectives were fairly broad and egalitarian:

An organization of people pulling together for common goals and desires

Working diligently for any worthwhile endeavor to promote the general welfare, growth and enjoyment of the people and our valley.

A ready and willing desire to assist and cooperate with all existing clubs, groups and organization - in realization of their community projects.

A better and more prosperous condition and climate for all the people of the Lincoln valley.

Public meetings were set for every second Friday at 8 p.m. at the Community Hall, with the directors meeting twice a month to advance the causes identified by the various Chamber committees.

By the end of1969, the LVCC was off and running, with a tourist information center in Jean's Donut Shop on the west side of town and a community clean-up campaign was in the works. The Chamber's community development committee worked with the state planning department, the Montana State University Center for Planning and county commissioners to help plan for community growth. That effort led to the Lincoln Area Study of 1970 that included ideas for developing an incorporated Lincoln, complete with a City Hall and separate elementary and high schools. A ski resort in the Copper Bowls was even envisioned.

At the same time, the fight to protect the Lincoln Back Country was in full swing, the county began construction of a new jail near the county shop and the possibility of incorporation was being discussed.

Ultimately, the mine never materialized - nor did incorporation – but over the years, the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce weathered changes and occasional controversy to remain both a community institution and a reminder of pivotal time in Lincoln's history.