Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
professor Richard Hugo, who directed the University of Montana's renowned creat-
ive writing program from 1964 until his death in 1982. The less prosaic might ascribe
the inordinate number of well-known authors and poets to things like the light, space,
and quality of life here, or the long cold winters and limited distractions. Among
the state's best-known writers are Wallace Stegner, Norman Maclean, Bill Kittredge,
James Welch, Tom McGuane, James Crumley, Richard Brautigan, Ivan Doig, Mary
Clearman Blew, Richard Ford, David Quammen, and Rick Bass.
Montana's literary heritage is very much alive in Missoula, where one of the
area's softball teams goes by the name “The Montana Review of Books,” which once
had an outfield lineup with 12 published novels among them. The city boasts some
fabulous independent bookstores that promote and often host local writers, includ-
ing
Fact and Fiction
(220 N. Higgins Ave., 406/721-2881). But perhaps the literary
spirit is most alive in any number of watering holes, some more savory than others.
Charlie B's
(428 N. Higgins Ave.), a favorite haunt of the late James Crumley, has
no sign, tinted windows, and a big wooden door. Crumley was also a regular at
The
Depot
(201 W. Railroad Ave.). During his tenure at the University of Montana, Bill
Kittredge and plenty of creative writing students frequented
Diamond Jim's East-
gate Casino and Lounge
(900 E. Broadway) just over the Van Buren footbridge
from campus.
The Rhino
(158 Ryman St.) was identifiable in Jeff Hull's short stories
and his 2005 novel. Probably the best-known among Missoula's thirsty literary geni-
uses, Dick Hugo often wrote about bars—
The Dixon Bar
(Hwy. 200, Dixon),
Trixi's
Antler Saloon
(Hwy. 200, Ovando), and more famously, the
Milltown Union Bar
(11 Main St., Milltown), which is now called Harold's Club and is virtually unrecog-
nizable but for the stuffed mountain goat by the door.
Monte Dolack Gallery
One of the most recognizable artists in the region, Monte Dolack shows his work and that of
his partner, Mary Beth Percival, at
Monte Dolack Gallery
(139 W. Front St., 406/549-3248
or 800/825-7613,
www.dolack.com
,
10am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri., 11am-5pm Sat.). The artists
travel frequently, which is reflected in their primarily nature-based, often whimsical and
witty works, which include tranquil watercolors and vivid posters.
