We have had a lot of discussion on this post from Rodeo Cowboys in Billings, ala Spanky, to the ruggedness of the Bob , to the fact that both Argh! and Spanky agree eastern Montana is everything east of Lewiston, to the toughest towns in Montana, to Billings being a sh*thole, to Billings being in eastern Montana no wait make that central Montana and the list goes on.
Congratulations to all participants for keeping the discussion cordial and appropriate and nobody got challenge to meet at the Montana Club.
My original post was to take exception to AZGriz calling Billings a sh*thole. I obviously disagree with him but I understand his feeling and respect his right to that opinion. It is my opinion the true sh*thole is California's Northern Colony, Bozangeles aka Bozeman. I opine that is is so manufactured, plastic and resembles a Hollywood movie set.
It seems Argh! and Spanky agree that everything east of Lewiston is eastern Montana making virtually the whole state eastern Montana. I disagree because there is a western, central and eastern Montana and maintain Billings is in central Montana.
My reasoning for that is largely based on geography. Billings is in close proximity to 5 mountain ranges, Pryor, Crazy, Beartooth, Absaroka and Bull. Although the classification of Bull Mountains as being true mountains can be debated.
Billings is located on the banks of the Yellowstone River, the longest free flowing river in the lower 48 states. The Yellowstone and Billings location is the basis for my opinion of Billings being in central Montana. All of the major tributaries to the Yellowstone upsteam from Billings flow from the nearby mountains, the Beartooth, Absaroka, Crazy, and Bridger Mountains. The Yellowstone maintains its nature of being a cold water stream until it passes Billings and begins its north eastern direction. Shortly after Billings it changes to more of a warm water meandering stream typical of those in eastern Montana unlike the cold free flowing river at Billings. Even the native fish population changes beginning a bit downstream from Billings.
Based on the above it seems Billings has more in common with the central part of Montana than the eastern part. Yes Spanky Billings does host a rodeo every now and then and there is a cowboy presence. A lot of that is due to the fact that Billings does have the largest multipurpose arena in the state, The Yellowstone METRA. In case you didn't know, METRA is an acronym for Montana's Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena. Aside from an occasional rodeo Billings is considered a metropolitan community in political circles die to the diversity of the economy and population.
Is it a sh*thole as AZGriz has proclaimed? That is entirely a matter of opinion. Is it a violent and crime ridden? Billings does have its issues and my original post pointed some of that out. Come on Bozanageles, put on your big boy pants and take care of your own social issues. As a matter of economics, Billings is the largest community between Minneapolis ( I know Fargo exists but so do the bison) and Spokane and the largest community in Wyoming and Montana north of Denver. I have read that the market area is considered to be over one million people because of its location.
What is the toughest community in Montana? Again the is up for debate but could include Hardin, Poplar, Deer Lodge, Heart Butte, Browning etc. Certain parts of Billings can hold its own in that category.
So I have given my opinions and tried to substantiate them, I know there will be those that disagree and I respect that. Again, I would like to congratulate everyone for the dialogue and cordial nature contained within.