Whitefish, Montana, grew from a rough logging camp known as “Stumptown” into a thriving railroad town after the Great Northern Railway (GN), a BNSF predecessor, made it a division point. The railroad shaped its character, from the landmark Tudor Revival depot that still serves passengers to the community parks created on former rail yard land.
“BNSF’s operations in and around Whitefish are interwoven with the origins of the town and Glacier National Park,” said Matthew Jones, general director of public affairs. “We take great pride in those historical ties and work closely with the community to maintain that special relationship.”
Today, BNSF keeps the legacy alive with more than 250 local jobs and about 34 trains a day, while partnering with the city on projects like Roundhouse Landing and the upcoming Ted Kusumoto Park along the Whitefish River. In Whitefish, the railroad isn’t just history. It’s home.
