Did You Know Missoula Almost Had a Different Name?

Missoula is known for its outdoor beauty and vibrant culture, but its past is full of curious and little-known stories. Here are a few that might surprise even longtime locals. 

Missoula’s First Streetlight Ran on Moonlight… Sort Of

In the late 1800s, Missoula’s earliest street lighting system used carbon arc lamps powered by a hydroelectric generator, one of the first such systems in the region. Locals jokingly called it “moonlight on demand.”

READ MORE: Remembering Gilly’s: Missoula’s Iconic Gas & Grocery

The Town Was Almost Called “Hellgate”

Before officially becoming Missoula, the area was sometimes referred to as “Hellgate,” a name taken from Hellgate Canyon. French fur trappers called it Porte de l’Enfer after finding evidence of Blackfeet and Flathead tribe battles in the area. The name Missoula was later derived from the Salish place name Nmesulétkw, which means “the place of freezing water.” This name has been used since the existence of Glacial Lake Missoula, and dates to the last ice age. The first settlers to arrive here borrowed and modified this name to become Missoula. Later, Salish people began using an additional term for Missoula: Nłʔáyčstm, which means “place of the small bull trout.”

A Bear Once Attended the University of Montana

In the 1960s, a live bear named Teddy was kept on the UM campus as a mascot. He lived in a steel cage behind the Field House and became a local celebrity. The university eventually retired the tradition for safety and ethical reasons

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MO Club Originally Was a Men’s Only Establishment

Locals love the Mo Club for its burgers and beer, but it wasn’t always open to everyone. In its early 20th-century beginnings, it functioned as a men’s-only bar and social club, catering to loggers, mill workers, and railroad men. Women weren’t allowed inside for years, until social norms (and the times) caught up.

The Missoula Mercantile Was More Than a Store

When it opened in 1866, the Missoula Mercantile wasn’t just a store, it served as the city’s post office, bank, and social hub. People didn’t just shop there; they gathered to share news, barter, and even arrange business deals.

Missoula’s colorful history is woven into its streets, traditions, and landmarks. Look a little closer, and you’ll find stories that go well beyond the usual history books.