History of Glasgow

The history of the city of Glasgow, USA, is inextricably linked to the era of the exploration of the Wild West. It was founded in 1887 as a key point during the construction of the Great Northern Railway. The settlement received its name in honour of the major Scottish city; it is believed that the name was chosen by a railway clerk who randomly placed his finger on a map of Scotland.

The development of this settlement in the north-west of the USA was determined by a combination of important geographical and economic reasons:

• Railway Hub: Its status as an important station and depot ensured a constant influx of workers and cargo, making the city the logistical centre of the region.
• Geographical Location: Its location in the Milk River valley provided access to water and fertile lands amidst the arid steppe climate.
• Cattle Breeding: The surrounding vast plains were ideal for grazing livestock, which attracted the first ranchers and traders.

In the first decades of its existence, Glasgow took shape as a classic frontier town. The economy depended entirely on the transport artery and agriculture. An important stage was the opening of surrounding lands for free settlement (homesteading) in the early 20th century, which turned the city into a bustling trading centre for farmers and cattle breeders of the entire Valley County.

Major Milestones in the City's History

• 1887: Foundation of the settlement of Glasgow as a key station during the construction of the Great Northern Railway.
• 1893: The city officially becomes the administrative centre of Valley County.
• 1910s: A period of active settlement of surrounding lands by farmers thanks to homestead acts, stimulating the development of agriculture.
• 1933: Start of the construction of the giant Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River, leading to an economic boom in the region.
• 1934: A sharp increase in population due to the influx of thousands of workers employed in the grandiose construction project.
• 1937: Visit by USA President Franklin Roosevelt to inspect the progress of work on the dam.
• 1940: Completion of the Fort Peck Dam, which became the largest hydraulic structure of its type in the world.
• 1942: Opening of a military airfield for training flight crews during the Second World War.
• 1957: Commissioning of an Air Force base to the north of the city, ensuring a new phase of prosperity for the region.
• 1968: Closure of the military base, which became a serious economic challenge for local residents.
• 1970s: Adaptation of the former military town's infrastructure for civilian needs and housing.
• 1987: Large-scale celebration of the city's centenary, cementing its status as the historical centre of North-East Montana.

Key Stages of Development and Their Significance

The evolution of the city of Glasgow, USA, represents a vivid example of how large infrastructure projects can change the fate of a small settlement in the prairie. The city's history is a series of economic booms and periods of adaptation, each of which left a noticeable mark on the urban environment.

• Foundation on the "Steel Highway" (1887). The appearance of the Great Northern Railway became the starting point. The station turned a deserted valley into a strategic transport hub, connecting local ranches with markets across the country and defining the linear layout of the central streets.
• The Era of Homesteaders (1910s). Active settlement of lands by farmers diversified the economy. Glasgow ceased to be just a station and transformed into a full-fledged commercial and administrative centre of the county, where banks, grain elevators, and solid brick buildings appeared.
• Construction of the Fort Peck Dam (1933–1940). This "New Deal" project became the most important milestone in the region's history. The grandiose construction attracted thousands of workers, causing a construction boom and a sharp growth in the service sector, which allowed the city to prosper even during the Great Depression.
• Military Aviation of WWII (1942–1945). The opening of a satellite airfield for pilot training integrated the city into the defence system of the USA. This laid the foundation for future military presence and the modernisation of local infrastructure, including the airport.
• Cold War Period and Air Force Base (1957–1968). The operation of the Strategic Air Command base brought the city a second economic flourishing. Modern residential areas were built (specifically the North Star community), along with new schools and hospitals, significantly improving the quality of life.
• Regional Consolidation (from the 1980s). After the departure of the military, the city focused on the role of the main service hub of North-East Montana. The development of medicine, retail, and tourism around Fort Peck Lake allowed it to maintain economic stability and cultural heritage.

The architectural appearance of the city of Glasgow is a visual chronicle of the development of a typical settlement in the American West. Unlike the old metropolises of the East Coast, you will not find lavish Gothic or Baroque styles here. The urban structure and style of buildings in the USA, and especially in the steppe of Montana, were dictated by practicality, availability of materials, and economic cycles.

Urban Planning and Layout

The foundation of the urban fabric was laid by railway engineers in the late 19th century. The streets of the central part of the city form a strict orthogonal grid, oriented parallel to the railway tracks. This is a classic example of planning characteristic of "railway towns" of the frontier, where the commercial centre (downtown) formed along the main street, starting directly from the station.

Architectural Styles and Landmark Buildings

In the city's development, several key layers can be distinguished, corresponding to periods of rapid economic growth in the region:

• Early Commercial Style (1900–1920s): When the city established itself as a trading centre, temporary wooden structures were replaced by solid brick buildings. This period is characterised by sturdy two- and three-storey structures with concise facade decor. A landmark object of this era is the historic Rundle Building (1916), which for many years served as the main hotel and symbol of the city's prosperity.
• Influence of Art Deco and PWA Moderne (1930s): The era of the Great Depression and the construction of the Fort Peck Dam brought the monumentality of state projects to the region. Although the most striking examples of Art Deco (such as the dam administration building and the theatre) are located slightly apart, their style influenced public buildings of that time, adding geometric strictness and functionalism.
• Utilitarian Modernism (1950–1960s): The Cold War period and the operation of the airbase gifted the city the North Star district. The architecture of this time is represented by typical residential development in the Ranch style and pragmatic public structures (schools, hospitals), devoid of excesses and designed for the comfortable life of a growing population.

Famous Natives and Residents

Despite its modest size, Glasgow, USA, has become the birthplace of a number of outstanding individuals who achieved international recognition in sports, politics, and the arts. Here is a list of the most famous persons whose names are connected with this city in the state of Montana:

• Steve Reeves (1926–2000)
  Bodybuilder and Actor
  A legendary figure in the world of bodybuilding and cinema. Reeves won the titles "Mr. America" (1947), "Mr. World" (1948), and "Mr. Universe" (1950). He became an icon of the sword-and-sandal genre, playing the lead role in the film "Hercules" (1958), and was the highest-paid actor in Europe of his time. It is considered that he was the one who inspired Arnold Schwarzenegger to take up bodybuilding.
• Michael McFaul (born 1963)
  Diplomat and Political Scientist
  A prominent statesman and professor at Stanford University. He served as the Ambassador of the USA to the Russian Federation (2012–2014) and was a special assistant to President Barack Obama on national security issues. He is the author of numerous books on foreign policy and international relations.
• Ann Hould-Ward (born 1954)
  Costume Designer
  A renowned Broadway designer whose work has been noted with top theatrical awards. She received the prestigious Tony Award for creating costumes for the musical "Beauty and the Beast". She also worked on productions of "Into the Woods" and many ballet performances.
• Stacy Edwards (born 1965)
  Actress
  Gained fame thanks to roles in independent cinema and on television. She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in the film "In the Company of Men" (1997). She is known to the general public for the role of Dr. Lisa Catera in the popular medical series "Chicago Hope".
• Uan Rasey (1921–2011)
  Musician
  A virtuoso trumpeter who became a legend of Hollywood studio recording. His performance can be heard in the soundtracks to such masterpieces of world cinema as "An American in Paris", "Singin' in the Rain", "West Side Story", and "Chinatown". For many years he was the lead trumpeter of the MGM studio orchestra.
• Donald Grant Nutter (1915–1962)
  Politician
  The 15th Governor of the state of Montana. Although his political career was tragically cut short by a plane crash, he left a mark on the state's history as a principled leader. He lived and worked in Glasgow at the beginning of his legal career, where he also served as the chairman of the local bar association.