Frontier History

Frontier History

Frontier History is a monthly series that highlights the compelling stories of Montana’s historical trail blazers that bucked the notion that the government is the solution to all of our problems and sought out ways to improve Montana without relying on the government’s favor or their purse. Opinions expressed by guest authors do not necessarily represent the positions of the Frontier Institute.

The Latest

Black History Month In Montana

Black History Month In Montana

"He did not believe in segregating history by race, but rather, he dreamed of seamlessly incorporating the relevant history of all peoples into a unified discipline."

By Lawrence Reed

Indians, Property Rights, and Ayn Rand

Indians, Property Rights, and Ayn Rand

In 1876, when rejecting the demand to move his people to a reservation, Chief Joseph said, “I claim a right to live on my land and accord you the privilege to return to yours.” To me, that sounds like a man who understands private property.

By Lawrence Reed

The Uncommon Ella Knowles Haskell

The Uncommon Ella Knowles Haskell

"The uncommon Ella Knowles Haskell played a major role in taking the common—no votes for women—and making it both uncommon and popular. Montanans should be very proud of her."

By Lawrence Reed

Montana—Cool for Coolidge!

Montana—Cool for Coolidge!

"He was smart enough to know what his job was—to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution,” not to ignore it, shred it or rewrite it."

By Lawrence Reed

Louis Armstrong in Montana

Louis Armstrong in Montana

"He was always more interested in the good in people than the bad. That’s just the way he was, and probably the way the rest of us ought to be."

By Lawrence Reed

Montana’s Home School Heroes

Montana’s Home School Heroes

"On this important question, the verdict is in and it is definitive: The one ingredient that makes the most difference in educational outcomes is parental involvement."

By Lawrence Reed

The Slave Who Went to Montana

The Slave Who Went to Montana

"Every human possesses a natural right to be his own master, so long as he does not deny that same right to others. Most people take that truism for granted today but it wasn’t the governing rule of the past."

By Lawrence Reed

Let’s Make Montana Look Like Ireland

Let’s Make Montana Look Like Ireland

"Though fewer people today live in the Republic of Ireland than did almost two centuries ago, they’re busy teaching the world an important lesson: economic freedom works!"

By Lawrence Reed

Montana’s Greatest Hollywood Actor

Montana’s Greatest Hollywood Actor

"We remember Gary Cooper not because he was a run-of-the-mill actor but because he was uncommonly good—just like the heroes he played and the hero he was."

By Lawrence Reed