Montana Department of Labor & Industry

Millions of years ago, dinosaurs could be found grazing along the Yellowstone River and walking the badlands in what today we call Dawson County. The county itself was named after the Scottish fur trader Andrew Dawson, who worked for the American Fur Company and was in charge at Fort Benton from 1856 to 1870, when he returned to Scotland.

As in the early days, farming and ranching continue to play key roles in the county’s economy. Dawson County supports approximately 400 farms and ranches totaling 1.35 million acres. Agriculture generates about $36.8 million in income annually; one of the reasons Glendive is considered the agricultural hub of Eastern Montana.

Each year thousands of anglers come from all over to experience deep sea fishing on an inland river, while trying to catch the prehistoric paddlefish. These anglers not only provide the traditional boost to the local economy by staying and shopping in Glendive while they fish, but the donated roe harvested from their catch has also made Glendive the Paddlefish Caviar capital of the world.

You can’t talk about Dawson County and leave out Makoshika State Park. Makoshika comes from the Lakota Sioux word meaning “land of bad spirits” or the “Bad Lands”. The 11,531 acre park is celebrating its 57th anniversary this year. Throughout the years, fossils of 10 different species of dinosaurs have been found in the park and the number of fossils waiting to be discovered is infinite.

In this issue of Main Street Montana our focus is Dawson County’s steadfast economy. We’ll find out the secrets behind the success of some local businesses, the important role oil production plays in Eastern Montana, and how the Main Street Program will benefit Glendive. We’ll also tell you why Jobs for Montana’s Graduates is the top ranked program of its kind in the nation and the role Dawson County High School plays in that ranking.