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In 1886, three years before Montana became a state, Augusta rancher David Auchard shared a dream with his attorney friend, Corneilus Hedges. It was visionary in that he was ahead of his time with the concept of what we now know as "assisted living". While this term has become commonplace over the past several years, a plan to have a facility for those who might be "aged or infirmed" was quite innovative in the late 1800's.
In 1901, a committe was appointed to pick a site for the Masonic Home from propositions they had received from Midcanyon, Fulton, Deer Lodge, Missoula, Boulder, and Helena. The Fred Gamer Tract, consisting of 590 acres and situated eight miles from Helena in the Prickly Pear Valley was the final selection in 1906, as there was a "nice grove of trees upon it... good water... Whereby the ranch can be irrigated from an independent source in addition to the water right."
Though David Auchard passed away in 1902, his dream did become a reality. The building was ready for occupancy in 1907. For over 100 years, the Masonic Home of Montana has been providing some level of care to Montana's elders. As it was in 1907, the home still offers wonderful views of our beautiful big sky country and the staff still believes that it is truly a home for our Residents. |
