Central
Montana
Montana
Hi-Line
Portraits Vanishing
Points
It's
been said of
one of the most
prosperous valleys
in Western Montana
that 70% of
the children
that graduate
from school
leave the area
for better jobs
and don't return.
Eastern Montana
communities,
which can be
considered far
more economically
depressed, are
going through
a transformation
I call "quieting".
Surrounding
small farm and
ranch families
are under great
pressure to
sell out to
larger agri-business
corporate entities.
Towns are having
a harder time
supporting the
local families.
The sense of
community much
of the time
still exists
even though
numerous residents
are disappearing.
Many of the
people that
have sold their
family farms
and ranches
have chosen
to retire and
move into the
local towns.
Schools and
services are
consolidating
and/or closing
all together.
The cultural
and economic
climates in
these areas
are changing.
Stephen
K. Lehmer 2/2007
