Glasgow is the “middle of nowhere,” but it is far from empty
Glasgow is a northeast Montana outpost in a territory where small towns are the norm. This area earned the status as the true “middle of nowhere” based on a 2018 report from The Washington Post that determined out of all U.S. communities with at least 1,000 people, Glasgow is the farthest from a city of at least 75,000 people. Yet this community of about 3,200 is an anchor to this region, offering outdoor recreation, restaurants, a local school system and transportation access. It’s an area locals take pride in. “We’ve had a lot of kids who moved away, went to college and came back,” says Darcia Schindler, who is the event coordinator for the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, Inc. and grew up here.
Established homes make up the majority of Glasgow’s options
The “middle of nowhere” was established in 1887, and there are still homes here that date to around the turn of the 20th century. These early to midcentury bungalows and ranch-style houses are most prevalent around Glasgow. However, the Scottish Hills Subdivision offers new construction on Glasgow’s east side. Homes here don’t hit the market particularly often, but according to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in the neighborhood in early 2025 was roughly $200,000.
Downtown Glasgow features an eclectic variety of businesses
Glasgow’s downtown is located in the center of the community, concentrated around 2nd Avenue and U.S. Highway 2. It’s where locals can sit down for breakfast at a place like Toodie's Cafe & Gallery. Toodie’s is co-owned by a Glasgow native, and its walls are colored by artwork made in Montana. The Loaded Toad coffee shop down the street has a popular patio decorated with a street sign proclaiming Glasgow’s middle-of-nowhere distinction. Eugene’s Pizza, located about a half-mile north of 2nd Avenue, has been open since 1962 and is known in part for its thin, crispy crusts.
D & G Sports & Western Wear, next to Toodie’s, has sold cowboy boots, hunting and fishing gear, and more since 1957. Locals have a Reynolds Market and an Albertsons for groceries. “My favorite aspect is that when you go into the store, you know people,” Schindler says. “And it’s very friendly.” Valley Cinema on 2nd Avenue offers new movies and a second-run summer children's movie series with $1 tickets. The Children’s Museum of Northeast Montana features a range of hands-on exhibits downtown, and the Valley County Pioneer Museum has over 200 animal and bird mounts on display. The 25-bed Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital on the south side of Glasgow has an emergency room.
Glasgow schools have an illustrious athletic history
The Glasgow Public Schools district maintains a B-minus grade on Niche. Irle Elementary and Glasgow Middle also have B-minus ratings. Special events at Irle include grade-level spring concerts, and Glasgow Middle has a spring art competition with a cash prize. Glasgow High earns a B grade, and its sports programs have a combined 48 state championships. “Everybody knows everybody, so you know the kids,” Schindler says. “There’s a lot of family, too. Your niece, your cousin, you watch them play. It’s something to do on the weekend.” The championship total includes 30 titles between the wrestling and girls cross-country teams. The wrestling team won Glasgow High’s most recent title in 2021.
Hunting, fishing and high-flying fun are accessible
The Milk River snakes through Glasgow, and anglers can fish it at spots like Hinsdale Milk River Park, 30 miles away. The Vandalia Wildlife Management Area, a 20-mile trip, is an option for hunting deer, turkey, and more. The massive Fort Peck Lake is also about 20 miles away. The lake’s shoreline stretches 1,520 miles, a length longer than the California coast, and the space is open to fishing, boating and swimming. “The hunting and fishing, that’s our biggest draw,” Schindler says.
The immediate Glasgow area offers several parks. Sullivan Park has multiple ball diamonds and a basketball court. City Park includes tennis courts and a skate park, and the Glasgow Civic Center next door houses a gymnasium and fitness equipment.
Parades and music bring people out
Glasgow Northeast Montana Fairgrounds play host to the Northeast Montana Fair in early August, with a rodeo and live music. Glasgow has a homecoming celebration in September with a parade, a pancake breakfast and a pub crawl. Fort Peck Lake’s Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament is a major event in the region in July, attracting 200 two-person teams.
Rail and air service are available locally
There’s an Amtrak train station in downtown Glasgow, on the Empire Builder line. The line runs from Portland and Seattle on the west to Chicago, and the Glasgow station served roughly 3,500 passengers in 2024. The Glasgow Valley County Airport facilitates flights to Billings through Cape Air twice daily. The Washington Post’s middle-of-nowhere study determined that Glasgow was four and a half hours from Billings, the closest city with at least 75,000 people. Drivers in Glasgow can take U.S. Highways 2, 191 and 87 to reach Billings, a 276-mile trip.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
