Montana Statehood

Front:
TONTANA MT HELENA JAN 15 1989 59601 Montana 25 1889 1989 El itte

Back:
MONTANA STATEHOOD First Day of Issue: January 15, 1989 First Issue Location: Helena, Montana Known to the native Americans as the Land of Shining Mountains, Montana is the northernmost Rocky Moun- tain state. Its mountains are a source of great mineral wealth, and their beauty attracts many visitors. Montana is also a state of numerous rivers and a large number of natural lakes. Access to the area was hindered by the Great Plains to the east and the mountains to the west, but its rivers provided travel routes. Most likely the first white men in the area were French and Spanish fur traders and prospectors prior to 1800. Following the Louisiana Pur- chase of 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition provided the first adequate record of the area. The United States' rights to the region were recognized by Great Britain in the Convention of 1818 and the Oregon Treaty of 1846. The fur trade, missionary efforts, the coming of the rail- road, and the gold rush with its resulting lawlessness were responsible for settlement in the area and the implemen- tation of organized government there. Montana became the forty-first state on November 8, 1889. No. 89-1 ©1989 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Ed Little