[6] Archaeological records indicate that native American tribes shared hunting grounds in the area, most notably the Kootenai, the Pend d'Oreilles, and the Bitterroot Salish.

[8] Though trappers, traders, and waves of westward immigrants passed through the area during the second half of the century, it wasn't until 1883 that the first permanent settler, John Morton built a cabin on the shore of Whitefish Lake, just west of the mouth of the Whitefish River.

When GN rerouted in 1904 to avoid the steep Haskell Pass, preferring a longer but more shallow route via Eureka, the development of what is now Whitefish was sparked.

[9] The area was originally known as Stumptown due to the abundant amount of timber that had to be cleared to build the town and railroad and because tree stumps were left in the streets throughout downtown.

[11] Some of the town's railroad workers were injured and two died in the 1966 Great Northern Buelow collision, an accident that affected many in the area.

In 1937, the Whitefish Lake Ski Club obtained a special permit from the U.S. Forest Service enabling them to build cabins and trails in the Hell Roaring Creek region.

Great Falls businessmen Ed Schenck and George Prentice recognized the area's potential and, after World War II, began efforts to develop a full-fledged ski resort on the mountain with local people donating labor, preparing the slopes, even giving up free time to help push through an all-weather mountain road.

On December 14, 1947, Schenck, Prentice, and a thousand townsfolk stood on the newly christened ski resort's slopes to watch the brand new T-Bar lift bring their community vision to life.

[16] The town is located on the western side of the continental divide, near Glacier National Park.

[25] Whitefish is known for its environmentalism, with an extensive system of protected trails and forests designed to purify the town's water.

The event features over twenty-five restaurants, caterers and beverage companies offering samples of their specialties.

[35] The Whitefish Arts Festival (WAF) occurs over the 4th of July weekend and is a tradition going back over forty years.

It is a favorite throughout the Northwest and maintains a long tradition of high-quality arts and fine crafts.

Metal sculptures, paintings and photography, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and home decorations are just some of the featured fine arts.

It includes live music and local culinary specialties to raise funds to protect public land.

[37] Every year Whitefish hosts a songwriter retreat called Nashville Heads West.

This retreat brings Nashville-based songwriters to Whitefish to River Meadow Ranch for one week of writing songs with the added inspiration "of being under Montana's big sky.

[40] The Glacier Challenge is a six-leg, multi-sport relay covering 50 miles (80 km) of Montana.

The race features six legs of running, biking, canoeing, and kayaking covering almost 50 miles (80 km) in and around Whitefish.

[47] Whitefish is part of the Missoula media market, which covers a seven-county area of northwestern Montana.

[48] Three radio stations are licensed to Whitefish, all owned by Bee Broadcasting, Inc.: KJJR 880 AM, KSAM 1240 AM, and KWOL-FM 105.1.