Bay Books and Prints
Lately, I have been exploring used bookstores. Buying a used book from a street vendor or in a used bookstore has been on my bucket list. I have just been fascinated with the used bookstores I have found in the valley. I honestly had no idea there were so many! Previously, I visited Blacktail Mountain Books and The Bookshelf in Kalispell. Today I am visiting Bay Books and Prints in Bigfork.
Great, Friendly Service
First off, let me say that the owner, Pat, is incredibly nice and friendly. I walked in while he was adding more books to his inventory. He did not hesitate to show me the different areas and we shared some personal stories. Not only does the bookstore have great customer service, but has a cozy atmosphere as well. When you walk in, it looks like you walked into a comforting home that has books EVERYWHERE. There is a great selection of books on history, politics, and classical and historical literature. So, don’t be afraid to stop by!
The theme at Bay Books and Prints is Western history. They have a lot of books sharing information on cowboys cowgirls and Native Americans. If you want to know what it was like in the colonial Midwest you need to read these books. There are books about the formation of Montana and the Midwest. But they also have books written by people who lived around the colonial period. Pat is very knowledgeable about these topics and can help point out any books you might be interested in.
I did not know this used bookstore featured mainly books about Montana, the Midwest, and history. I was lucky to find it! I have been searching for something to help me learn more about the historical side of Montana. While I have been enthralled with Montana’s beauty for many years, I haven’t learned what formed our communities.
C. M. Russell and the Arduous Old West
Pat shared some historical gems with me. I arrived at the best time too because he just received a book on C.M. Russell, a beloved Montanan painter and person who influenced a lot of Montana’s history. Charles Marion Russel, who lived between March 19, 1864, and October 24, 1926, was an American artist who focused his paintings and bronze sculptures on the American Old West. He created more than 2,000 paintings, most were of cowboys, Native Americans, and landscapes of the United States and Alberta, Canada.
He worked on a lot of cattle ranches but probably is most known for working at the O-H Ranch in the Judith Basin. One of his famous watercolors depicts the cruel winter of 1886-1887 where a majority of the cattle had died. The ranch owner had written a letter to the ranch foreman asking to know how the cattle were doing, so the foreman sent back a watercolor image of an emancipated steer that Russell had painted back to him. In Helena Montana, the cattle owner then placed the painting in a store’s window. Soon after, Russell was commissioned for many more works, but this piece, Waiting for a Chinook is one that he remains famous for.
C. M. Russell and His Native American Inspiration
He was a great advocate for Native Americans. He supported creating a reservation for the Chippewa in Montana who were landless at the time. He lived with the Blood Indians, a part of the Blackfeet Nation in 1888, believing to foster his extensive knowledge of Native American culture at this time. He had a keen interest in preserving Native American culture during that period and it inspired a lot of his artwork. Russell lived in a time when many people were moving to the Old West from cities and his artwork influenced the theme of the Old West we are familiar with today. While he has many more accomplishments and played a large role in fostering community growth in Montana, his artwork and bronze sculptures have also greatly influenced the Western themes used in television, movies, and novels (Wikipedia Contributors, 2024).
To learn more about Charles Marion Russell and the Old West, you should visit Bay Books and Prints. I’m sure Pat would be happy to show you some of his insightful books.
High-Quality, Unique Books
I got several, high-quality books, both older and newer, and only spent about fifty dollars there. I was shocked because I initially perceived one of the books to be at least a hundred dollars. While the books look expensive because of their great quality, old-fashioned binding, and valuable information, they are quite affordable.
You will find rare books you probably couldn’t find anywhere else at Bay Books and Prints. They also have antique Western prints. If you appreciate the natural beauty of the Flathead Valley and Montana you need to stop by this bookshop. You will appreciate the historic beauty that formed the state.
I found quite a few good books on Montana’s history. One of them, Montana in the Making by Newton Carl Abbott, is the 13th Revised Edition from 1964. It provides details on primal Montana before the Louisiana Purchase, like animal and plant life and the early Montana Native Americans. It provides insight into the development of the Fur Trade, the Mining Frontier and the silver boom, Montana’s territorial governments, and its journey to statehood. This book offers a detailed description of the early pioneer’s exploration of Montana’s geography and its early history. This is a great book that offers a detailed understanding of early Montana. There are many more insightful books like these at the bookstore in Bigfork.
Pat explained to me that he usually only has this place open in the summer now. So if you’re here for the summer beauty, be sure to stop by Bay Books and Prints before you leave! If you are a history buff, love books, or love Montana, you will regret not visiting!
Some Robust Montanan History
Montana has a rich history that has influenced so much of the architecture and culture we enjoy today. Take the bridge that crosses the Snake River that provides vehicle access from Bigfork to Kalispell. Prior to the bridge being built, one could only send mail and supplies by a basket on a cable across the river. In 1894, Richard C. Heise moved from Pocatello and created a homestead on the property across the South Fork of Snake River. He founded the Heise Hot Springs Health Resort there, believing that sulfur springs could provide natural health benefits, and had a ferry built (The Holt Ferry Historical Marker, 2019).
The ferry became popular in 1907 so Elof Nelson built another one that would launch below our current bridge. Elof and his sons transported people across the river by the sound of a bell until 1919. In 1938, the bridge was built. This ferry system made it possible for pioneers to settle on the north side of the Snake River (The Holt Ferry Historical Marker, 2019). The Holt Ferry, also called Lee’s Landing, helped create the communities we have today.
I will be adding more historical information to my posts as I complete my research.
Why I Enjoy Used Bookstores
I have loved exploring used bookstores here in the valley. Usually, I search eBay for used copies of books I had read from the library. I loved them so much that I needed a copy of my own. Most of them I can get for only a few dollars from people all over the country. EBay is a great resource when you want a copy of a book and the best deal quickly. I believe I purchased a book from a seller in Wisconsin or Pennsylvania. The book was initially from Calgary, Alberta in Canada! There was a note saying it was an old book from a library in Calgary.
It’s like each book comes with a story, some of which we might never know fully. It makes each copy even a little more interesting. Some books come with notes from someone giving the book to a previous owner. Or maybe the previous owner left a note for you. Some books have highlights and notes written by someone previously studying them for answers.
What’s Next?
I love this connection and mystery! This is probably why I enjoy searching thrift stores and garage/estate sales for items. It gives them a fresh start and I often find something unique. So, stay tuned for when I explore the Reloved Thrift Store in Bigfork. I have been to this store so many times looking for a few tops or home decor. It is my favorite thrift store. They even have a used book section too! I don’t know how I had missed that before.
If you enjoy scouring bookstores too, you must explore Blacktail Mountain Books and The Bookshelf in Kalispell. I visited them a couple of days before I visited Bay Books and Prints and loved my experience. Read Treasure in Kalispell – Blacktail Mountain Books + The Bookshelf to learn more. If you’ve ever wanted to visit a cat café, Bad Rock Books is a must-see! The used bookstore in Columbia Falls is a great shop that has a homey atmosphere with lots of cats and fascinating reads.
References
A Short History Of Lee’s Landing, Holt : later known as Holt Ferry. (2016). Montana History Portal. https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/107268
Public. (2021). Chinook 2 – Drawing. Public domain image. – PICRYL – Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search. PICRYL – Public Domain Media Search Engine. https://picryl.com/media/chinook2-43ae4d
The Holt Ferry Historical Marker. (2019, October 4). Hmdb.org. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=140543
Wikipedia Contributors. (2024, July 3). Charles Marion Russell. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Marion_Russell