Hero or scoundrel? Exhibit on Joe Cosley moves to Kalispell museum

 Joe Cosley is the subject of an exhibit now open at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell.

The museum worked with Columbia Falls First Best Place Task Force in 2010 to create the Cosley display, which has been at the Discovery Square in Columbia Falls for the past year.

Whether considered a hero or scoundrel, most people agree Joe Cosley was one of the area’s most colorful characters. Learn about this remarkable mountain man, artist, ranger, guide, story teller, poet, outlaw, Canadian war hero and romantic at the exhibition, “Cosley Returns,” now open at the Kalispell museum.

Cosley was born in Ontario in 1870.

In 1910 at age 40, Cosley became the first Glacier Park ranger. But in 1911 he was discovered trapping at upper McDonald Lake and was fired. It was not until 1914 that his ranger pay was cut off and Cosley was ordered to get out.

For the next 15 years he remained in the area, was a guide in Glacier Park in 1919, and continued to trap and poach in Glacier and Waterton parks.

In 1929, Cosley was brought to trial, but he made bail and escaped by traveling in winter on snowshoes at age 59 from the head of Lake McDonald over Ahern Pass all the way to Canada.

The Museum at Central School is located at 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 756-8381 for more information.