History

Clouse Bauer Arena

Missoula Concrete Construction donated approximately $1M in concrete risers for the new grandstands at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. The company, owned by the Bauer family, wished to honor its president, Dale Clouse, who has been an employee since age 16. Dale serves on the Missoula Fairgrounds Foundation, and three generations of Clouse family members participated in Missoula County 4-H. For over 40 years combined, Dale and his father, Harvey Clouse, served as Western Montana Fair superintendents, with Harvey named ''Man of the Year'' in 1984.

The new grandstands may look familiar. The lower concrete risers come from Bobcat Stadium forms used in Bozeman, and the upper risers from Washington-Grizzly Stadium forms used in Missoula. The aluminum benches were recycled from the old grandstand and reinstalled. Nearly every board from the old grandstand frame was salvaged. The new grandstand's design offers generous concourses to allow freedom of movement and more opportunities for community connection.

Please join us in recognizing these individuals for their generosity, community dedication, and commitment to Missoula County residents.

The predecessor of the Missoula County Fairgrounds/Western Montana Fair was the Western Montana Agricultural, Mechanical and Mineral Association, Inc. It was incorporated at the Missoula County Courthouse in November 1874. In 1875, a committee selected a site and drew up by-laws for the fair association. A fair site was selected within the eastern half of what is now 39th Street, Russell Street, South Avenue and Paxson Street. By April 1876, a one-mile race track, 60 feet wide, was constructed at a cost of $400.

In 1886 the Missoula Fair and Racing Association was formed, with the goal of reviving the fair. A new site was sought over to hold the annual event. In 1888 a new site was purchased one and a half miles northwest of Missoula and south of the Northern Pacific tracks. A speed line ran to the edge of the fairgrounds to unload stock. This new site, which was owned by the federal government, would be used until 1914. The county used its prisoners to help build a road to the new facility.

Although the fair has had several different “homes” it has settled here at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. In 1911, the County Commissioners discussed the purchase of grounds for a permanent site for the fair. It wasn’t until 1913 that the current fairgrounds was purchased for a mere $16,000.