Great Falls, the county seat of Cascade County, is a city rich in history and culture. Founded in 1883 by Paris Gibson, the city was originally named after five waterfalls on the Missouri River – Black Eagle, Colter Falls, Rainbow Falls, Crooked Falls, and Big Falls (also known as “Great Falls”). 

Built as a railroad hub, Great Falls initially relied heavily on ore smelting in its early years. Black Eagle Dam was the first hydroelectric dam in Montana, as well as the first on the Missouri River. The energy industry helped give the city of Great Falls the nickname "The Electric City".  

The city’s history is full of stories of Native American tribes, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and settlers who made the area their home. The history of Great Falls has had a major impact on its culture, which is still seen today. From the unique architecture of the downtown area to the thriving arts and music scene, Great Falls’ culture is alive and vibrant.  

Great Falls was the location of the Mariana UFO incident in 1950. The film footage of the sighting is believed to be among the first ever taken of an unidentified flying object and was widely publicized. The U.S. Air Force investigated the film and found it to be reflections from two F-94 jet fighters.  

In recent years, the economy of Great Falls has suffered from the decline of heartland industry, much like other cities in the Great Plains and Midwest.