Belt, Montana
Belt was named for
Belt Butte, a nearby mountain that appears to have a belt around it. The
first coal mine was founded by John Castner and supplied fuel for Fort
Benton. Belt's coal fields also began supplying fuel for the nearby
smelter at Great Falls in 1893. In 1930 the smelters were converted to
natural gas and the coal market began to slump. The first post office
opened on February 2, 1885.
While in Belt,
stop by and see local history and art at the Belt Museum, a building which
dates from 1895 when it was built as a city jail. The Belt Creek Ranger
Station south on US Highway 89 has information on nearby hiking, mountain
biking, and snowmobiling, and offers trail maps.
COAM Member Listings in Belt:
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