Exploring Saint Marie, Montana: From Cold War Stronghold to Eerie Ghost Town
Tucked away in northeastern Montana, Saint Marie stands as a haunting relic of the Cold War era—a once-thriving military community now abandoned and largely forgotten. Established in the 1950s to support the Glasgow Air Force Base, Saint Marie was home to thousands of military personnel and their families. Today, it exists as a semi-ghost town, with only a few hundred residents and hundreds of decaying buildings, offering a unique glimpse into a bygone era.
Construction of the Glasgow Air Force Base began in 1955, and by 1957, it was fully operational. The base housed various aircraft, including B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers, and played a crucial role in the United States' defense strategy during the Cold War. At its peak, the base employed nearly 10,000 people and was supported by the adjacent community of Saint Marie, which provided housing and amenities for military families. However, the base was decommissioned in 1976, leading to the rapid decline of Saint Marie as military personnel and their families relocated elsewhere.
In the wake of the base's closure, Saint Marie was abandoned. Over 1,000 homes, along with schools, churches, and recreational facilities, were left to decay. The once-bustling streets became eerily silent, with weeds overtaking cracked sidewalks and buildings succumbing to the harsh Montana climate. Despite efforts to repurpose the area, such as plans to convert the housing units into a retirement community, most of the buildings remain empty and deteriorating. Today, the town is sparsely populated, with only a few hundred residents maintaining a semblance of community amidst the ruins.
While much of Saint Marie has been abandoned, the legacy of the Glasgow Air Force Base endures. The runway, once used for military operations, has been repurposed as the Glasgow Industrial Airport, serving as a test site for Boeing aircraft. This continued use of the base's infrastructure provides a stark contrast to the surrounding desolation, highlighting the area's complex history and ongoing relevance.
Today, Saint Marie serves as a reminder of the transient nature of military communities and the passage of time. Its decaying buildings and empty streets evoke a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, offering a unique opportunity for exploration and reflection. While the town may never return to its former glory, it stands as a testament to the Cold War era and the people who once called it home.
Over the years, we explored the entire site three times, our last visit was before 2015. We were able to document all the abandoned buildings on the base, talk to locals, and learn about the history. Not much changed between our visits except the hospital, which was fully explorable on the first visit, but the second time, an entire section was boarded and locked off. Since our visits, there has been much more vandalism, decay, and no trespassing signs.
For those interested in exploring Saint Marie, it's important to note that much of the area is on private property. Visitors should exercise caution and respect local regulations when considering a trip to this intriguing ghost town.
Inside The Abandoned Buildings
The base is massive - too large for one article. We are splitting up the base into sections.
- Main (this article) includes the housing, grocery store, bowling alley, post office, barracks, and other community buildings.
- Church - the abandoned roman catholic church
- Hospital - the abandoned military hospital and detox center
- Theater - the abandoned military theater
- Schools - the two abandoned schools
The photographs below share the community buildings (grocery store, bowling alley, post office, etc) and the housing on the base.
