Historic Tales of Flathead Lake - American Chronicles by Butch Larcombe Paperback

Book Synopsis

When asked about the greatest accomplishment of his 34-year congressional career, Mike Mansfield, one of America's revered political figures, offered a simple reply-- "Saving Flathead Lake."

The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River has centuries of oral and written history. Much like the towns dotting the shore, even the islands of Flathead Lake, such as Wild Horse Island and Melita Island, harbor rich histories. Expectedly, contentious battles over projects arose, including the construction of the Kerr Dam and "The Flathead Lake Fight of 1943." From the sinking of the Big Fork to the still visible remains of the Helena, the lake has been site to numerous nautical disasters. And unexplained plane crashes, creatures and occurrences have confounded locals throughout the years. Author Butch Larcombe presents factual, well-researched stories that paint a picture of the lake's colorful people, historic events and lingering mysteries.

Review Quotes

When asked about the greatest accomplishment of his thirty-four-year Congressional career, Mike Mansfield, one of America's most revered political figures, offered a simple reply: "Saving Flathead Lake."

In 1960, a Montana-raised airline pilot on reserve duty crashed a Navy fighter jet in the darkest depths of Flathead Lake in a case that remains cloaked in mystery. Investigators initially said the crash was the result of unauthorized pilot error, and while new evidence has restored the Marine's honor, neither his body nor the plane were ever recovered.

Butch Larcombe, Flathead Beacon

About the Author

A fourth-generation Montanan and graduate of the University of Montana, Butch Larcombe has worked as a social studies teacher and later as a newspaper reporter and editor in Missoula, the Flathead Valley, Great Falls and Helena. He was editor and general manager of Montana Magazine before joining the communications department at NorthWestern Energy. An author of three books, Larcombe has written articles appearing in Montana Quarterly, Montana Outdoors and in the Flathead Beacon and Flathead Living.