Posted in Montana August 01, 2022 by

If You Can Pronounce These 8 Words, You’ve Lived In Montana For Far Too Long

Montanans are prideful and we won’t hesitate to correct you if you state the name of one of our beautiful places incorrectly. That being said, sometimes it takes a while to properly pronounce (we’re looking at you, Absarokee pronunciation) certain words and towns. If you can pronounce these words with ease, you’ve probably grown up here in the Treasure State.

1. Wibaux
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
This tiny town of about 500 people is pronounced "WEE-bo." But don't worry, the friendly locals won't be offended if you stumble a bit.
2. Absarokee
Matt Lavin / Flickr
It's entirely too easy to pronounce this phonetically. And some do. But the correct way to say it is "Ab-SOR-kee." And yes, the nearby mountain range of the similar name Absaroka is pronounced "Ab-SOHR'-kuh."
3. Choteau
Matthias / Flickr
If you grew up here, you may have heard the occasional out-of-towner try to pronounce it "Show-TWO" or something similar. Of course, it's actually pronounced "SHO-toe."
4. Meagher
Mike Cline/Wikipedia
Meagher County was named for Thomas Francis Meagher, territorial governor of Montana. And many people don't know that it's pronounced "Marr."
5. Ch-paa-qn
Bryan Baldwin / alltrails.com
This mountain in Missoula County is more commonly referred to as Squaw Peak. However, its proper name is pronounced "Cha-PA-Kwin."
6. Gallatin
Nicolás Boullosa / Flickr
Gallatin County is one of the most beautiful parts of Montana. And while Montanans know to pronounce it "GAL-la-tin," it's another name that tends to trip up the tourists.
7. Kevin
Jason Woodhead / Flickr
Named after Thomas Kevin, superintendent of the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Company, this tiny town of 154 is located in Toole County. And believe it or not, it's pronounced "KEE-vin."
8. Ismay
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
"Is-MAY," you might say? Not quite -- this little railroad town is called "IS-mee."

How many of these Montana towns do you say correctly? Do you struggle with any of these words or are there any small towns or cities in Montana that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments!

Are you considering making a move to Montana? Before you begin packing boxes, here are a few things to consider.

Address: Montana, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Absarokee Pronunciation

August 06, 2022
Courtnie Erickson

What are some charming Montana cities that I should add to my bucket list?

It’s not an easy task to name all of the small towns in Montana that deserve a spot on your bucket list. From large Montana cities like Helena to small, charming towns like Choteau, there are so many delightful and beautiful places that certainly deserve your attention. History buffs will love exploring and visiting the beautiful small town of Deer Lodge. This town is home to all types of historic sites and museums that you will never be bored visiting and will certainly learn something new.

Stevensville is another small town that history buffs and outdoor lovers will enjoy. This beautiful town is surrounded by mountains and is tucked away. It is filled with local history and even more, if you are craving some time in the city, Missoula is only 30 miles away.

Are there any ghost towns in Montana I should visit?

Yes! All over the state you will find ghost towns and abandoned places that are just waiting to be explored. One of the most popular is Virginia City. This unique small town is more than just a tourist area, but it is believed this ghost town in Montana is one of the most haunted places in the entire county. In fact, there are regular reports of people seeing a black-robed figure walking down the streets, apparitions appearing in the cemetery and Hanging House, and even a spirit who roams towns that appears angry and is wearing a Civil War-era uniform.

Address: Montana, USA

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