Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Montana Department of Transportation, Maintenance Division records, 1927-2001
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Montana. Department of Transportation.
- Title
- Montana Department of Transportation, Maintenance Division records
- Dates
- 1927-2001 (inclusive)19272001
- Quantity
- 8.8 linear feet
- Collection Number
- RS 492 (Formerly RS 407)
- Summary
- This collection is a subgroup (Division) of the Montana Department of Transportation records, RS 492. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Transportation records. This collection is comprised of records documenting the work of the Department of Transportation and Department of Highways Maintenance Division and includes correspondence, "complaint" files, flood files, historical markers files, signing and landmark files, inspector field journals, meeting minutes, and subject files. Topics include: the statewide installation of fiber-optic cable through “Touch America” and AT&T, the Kootenai Hydroelectric Facility Project, and aerial photographs of Seeley-Swan Highway.
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Montana State Highway Commission was created in 1913 by the state Legislative Assembly. The original Commission was composed of three members. In 1917 new legislation altered the organization of the Commission by authorizing the appointment of twelve members according to geographic highway districts. Membership was changed again in 1921 to three members appointed by the Governor and in 1941 to five members, also appointed by the Governor. In 1971 the Commission was renamed the Montana Department of Highways, created by Chapter 7 of the Executive Reorganization Act of 1971 and implemented by executive order of the Governor on December 16, 1971. The Department of Highways took over all but the advisory functions of the State Highway Commission.
By 1972, the Department consisted of seven divisions: the Legal Division, Personnel Division, Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division. Each division was headed by an administrator. The Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division were furthered sub-divided into bureaus, headed by Chiefs. In 1991, the Department of Highways became the Department of Transportation.
The Maintenance Division oversaw general maintenance throughout the entire Department of Highways/Transportation including flood mitigation and damage repair, installing and maintaining road signs and Montana’s recognized Historical Highway Markers, managing public complaints about road conditions, as well as other maintenance-related projects. The Maintenance Division also worked closely with the district offices, overseeing the districts’ maintenance projects.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains files for the Maintenance division as it existed under the Department of Highways and then as part of the Department of Transportation.
The records for the Department of Highways consist of Subject Files (1927-1991) and Correspondence. Correspondence includes general correspondence of the Governor (1978-1985), and of the Maintenance Division Administrator and Engineer (1970-1985). Also included are files regarding the district and area offices (1953-1991), including: correspondence; "complaint" files; flood files; historical markers files; signing and landmark files; and miscellaneous report and project files, including Kootenai Hydroelectric Facility Project and aerial photographs of Seeley-Swan Highway.
The records for the Department of Transportation are comprised entirely of records documenting the Maintenance Division’s work with Power Engineers and “Touch America”/AT&T to install fiber optic cable in Montana. Documents include field diaries, both bound and loose leaf, written by inspectors and project managers overseeing the project; environmental reports and mitigation plans written by Power Engineers, one of the companies contracted to work on the project; general subject files about the project; and meeting minutes.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
This collection is organized into two subgroups: (Subgroup 1) Department of Highways, Maintenance Division and (Subgroup 2) Department of Transportation, Maintenance Division. The two subgroups are further organized into series. Subgroup 1 is organized into the series Subject Files and Correspondence. Both Series are arranged alphabetically. Subgroup 2 is organized into the series Diaries, Minutes, Reports, and Subject Files.
Location of Collection
40:4-3Processing Note
In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Transportation were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 492, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the MTHS catalog, and to follow best archival practices.
Collections from Montana Department of Transportation's various Divisions and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 492. Rather than reprocessing over 280 linear feet of Transportation materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids, and provide access to them via links through the central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the scope and content note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information available upon request
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Montana Department of Highways, Maintenance DivisionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Subject Files |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Air Field Maintenance, Army Auxiliary |
1942-1946 |
| 1/2 | Civil Aeronautics Administration / Flight Strip
Maintenance |
1942-1957 |
| 1/3-6 | Craft Council / AFSCME |
1973-1986, 1984 |
| 1/7 | Disasters / Emergency – Planning, Response,
Correspondence |
1981-1990 |
| 1/8 | Division 4 / Froid Case / Highway 16 |
1981-1990 |
| 1/9 | Federal Emergency Relief Projects: ERF 1-ERF 7 |
1948 |
| 1/10 | Federal Emergency Relief Projects: ERF 9-ERF 16 |
1948-1949 |
| 1/11 | Federal Emergency Relief Projects: Flood Damage |
1948-1953 |
| 1/12 | Federal Emergency Relief Projects / 1981 Flood
Report |
1981 |
| 1/13-25 | Federal Highway Administration Projects |
1977-1987 |
| 2/1-3 | Environmental and Pollution Studies |
1981-1985 |
| 2/4 | Inactive Radar Bases |
1952-1964 |
| 2/5-7 | Interstate Highway System |
1958-1973 |
| 2/8 | Legislation Affecting Highway |
1975-1985 |
| 2/9 | Letters Prepared for Governor |
1978-1985 |
| 2/10-11 | Local Area Road Logs: Maintained by State |
undated |
| 2/12 | Maintenance Division Questionnaires |
1970-1983 |
| 2/13-16 | Roadside Camps and Campgrounds |
1935-1968 |
| 2/17-19 | Research Committee |
1976-1989 |
| 2/20-21 | Reorganization |
1970-1982 |
| 2/22 | Roadside Parks and Camps |
1936-1971 |
| 2/23 | Signs and Signage |
1952-1959 |
| 3 | Sign and Sign Committee |
1967-1974 |
| 4/1-5 | Sign and Sign Committee |
1975-1981 |
| 4/6-7 | Signals |
1950-1979 |
| 4/8 | Signals / Crossings |
1955-1976 |
| 4/9 | Signing / Secondary Roads |
1950-1960 |
| 4/10 | Transportation / Maintenance Research |
1973-1978 |
| 4/11 | Transportation Research |
1979-1984 |
Correspondence |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/12-19 | Billings District, general |
1972-1991 |
| 4/20 | Billings District, District Engineer |
1983-1991 |
| 4/21 | Billings District, 1978 Flood Damage Photos |
1978-1980 |
| 5/1-2 | Billings District, 1978 Flood |
1978-1982 |
| 5/3 | Billings District, Historical Markers |
1970-1972 |
| 5/4 | Billings District, Legal |
1976-1986 |
| 5/5-13 | Bozeman District, general |
1962-1987 |
| 5/14 | Bozeman District, complaints |
1975-1985 |
| 5/15 | Bozeman District, Maintenance Chief |
1985-1991 |
| 5/16-23 | Butte District, general |
1969-1989 |
| 5/24 | Butte District, complaints |
1972-1985 |
| 5/25-26 | Butte District, District Engineer |
1982-1986, 1989-1991 |
| 6/1 | Butte District, Historical Markers |
1970 |
| 6/2 | Butte District, Maintenance Chief |
1985-1986 |
| 6/3 | May 1981 Flood, Newspaper Articles |
May 1981 |
| 6/4 | May 1981 Flood, Pictures |
May 1981 |
| 6/5-9 | Glendive District, general |
1963-1991 |
| 6/10 | Glendive District, Historical Markers |
1970 |
| 6/11-17 | Great Falls District, general |
1962-1990 |
| 6/18 | Great Falls District, District Engineer |
1984-1991 |
| 6/19 | Great Falls District, Historical Markers |
1970-1976 |
| 6/20-23 | Havre District, general |
1960-1981 |
| 7/1-2 | Havre District, Correspondence - “General File” |
1979-1991 |
| 7/3 | Havre District, Complaint |
1977-1984 |
| 7/4 | Havre District, Historical Markers |
1969-1972 |
| 7/5-6 | Kalispell District, general |
1971-1985 |
| 7/7 | Kalispell District, Maintenance Chief |
1985-1991 |
| 7/8 | Kalispell District, Floods |
1983 |
| 7/9 | Kalispell District, Historic Markers |
1970-1972 |
| 7/10 | Kalispell District, Kootenai Falls Hydroelectric
Facility |
1981-1982 |
| 7/11 | Kalispell, Signing and Landmarks |
1969-1986 |
| 7/12 | Kalispell District, Signing |
1969-1986 |
| 7/13-17 | Lewistown District, general |
1968-1990 |
| 7/18 | Lewistown District, Flood Damage |
1970-1983 |
| 7/19 | Lewistown District, Historic Markers |
1970-1972 |
| 7/20 | Lewistown District, Judith Basin Signing and
Historic |
1982-1989 |
| 7/21 | Lewistown District, Maintenance Chief |
1984-1986 |
| 7/22-28 | Miles City District, general |
1968-1990 |
| 7/29 | Miles City District, Floods |
1979-1986 |
| 7/30 | Miles City District, Historical Markers |
1970-1985 |
| 7/31 | Miles City District, Signing and Landmarks |
1977-1987 |
| 7/32 | Missoula District, general |
1959-1975 |
| 8/1-6 | Missoula District, general |
1960-1991 |
| 8/7 | Missoula District, District Engineer |
1982-1990 |
| 8/8 | Missoula District, Field Review |
1982 January |
| 8/9 | Missoula District, Historical Markers |
1970-1972 |
| 8/10 | Missoula District, Seeley-Swan Trees Photographs |
1988 |
| 8/11-12 | Missoula District, Signing and Landmarks |
1971-1989 |
| 8/13 | Missoula District, Skakhalo Road |
1975 |
| 8/14 | Missoula District, Landslide Maintenance |
1975-1990 |
| 8/15-18 | Wolf Point District, general |
1962-1991 |
| 8/19 | Wolf Point District, Maintenance Chief |
1985-1991 |
| 8/20 | Wolf Point District, Floods |
1976-1987 |
| 8/21 | Wolf Point District, Historical Markers |
1970-1973 |
| 8/22 | Wolf Point District, Signing and Landmarks |
1975-1983 |
Montana Department of Transportation, Maintenance DivisionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Diaries |
||
| Volume | ||
| Volume 1 | Tom Andrus, Inspector |
2001 June–August |
| Volume 2 | Larry Rickard, Inspector |
2001 January–May |
| Volume 3 | Larry Rickard, Inspector |
2001 Febrauary–July |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9/1 | Field Diary: “Touch America” Fiber Optic Cable
Installation (B. Berthelson) |
2001 January–June |
| 9/2 | Field Diary: “Touch America” Fiber Optic Cable
Installation Field Diary: “Touch America” Fiber Optic Cable Installation (B.
Berthelson) |
2001 January–June |
| 9/3 | Field Diary: “Touch America” Fiber Optic Cable
Installation (Miller) |
2001 January–June |
| 9/4 | Field Diary: “Touch America” Fiber Optic Cable
Installation (Tuhy) |
2001 May–September |
Minutes |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9/5 | Shop Superintendent Meetings |
1999 May, 1999 December |
Reports |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/1 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Utility
Environ. Checklist (Billings-Yakima) |
2000 |
| 10/2 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Utility
Environ. Checklist (Billings-Seattle) |
2000 |
| 10/3 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Biological
Assessments (Plants & Wildlife) |
2000 |
| 10/4 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Biological
Assessments (Bull Trout & Sensitive Species) |
2000 |
| 10/5 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Power
Engineers, “Construction Plan for National Forest Lands” |
2001 |
| 10/6 | “Touch America” Fiber Optic Installation: Power
Engineers, “Required Construction Mitigation Measures” |
2001 |
Subject Files |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/7 | “Touch America,” Environmental Plans and
Permits |
2000 |
| 10/8 | “Touch America,” General Information |
1999-2000 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Highway engineering--Montana.
- Highways--Flood Damage--Montana
- Highways--Montana.
- Highways.
- Roads--Design and construction--Montana.
- Transportation--Montana.
Geographical Names
- Helena (Mont.)--Politics and government
Finding aid prepared by Rachel Lilley and Ellie Letterman;
Updated by Lindsey Mick
2012;
2024
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
