Speaker discusses construction of Glacier’s Sun Road

The final speaker in a three-part series hosted by the Glacier National Park Volunteer’s Association is set for next week.

Bill Dakin will be discussing the construction of Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road at 7 p.m. on March 27 at the Northwest Montana History Museum at Central School Museum upstairs, 124 Second Ave. E, Kalispell; an elevator is available.

Columbia Falls native Dakin obtained a bachelor of science in history at Montana State University in 1971 and a master of arts in anthropology at the University of Montana in 1981.

He was a Glacier Park road crew leader and equipment operator for a dozen years, and with the late fellow crewman and historian Dennis Holden, was tasked by Superintendent Robert Haraden to research the Sun Road’s construction history for the park’s 50th anniversary “reunion” of surviving construction workers in 1983. His program was presented to the Montana Historical Society’s 2010 conference focused on Glacier’s centennial. As new historic resources are found, he has enhanced this one-hour slide presentation and narrative.

“I’ve been a history buff since I could listen and read,” he said. “I spent a decade of my working life on ‘the hill’. I think being informed about why the road came to be and how and by whom it was built enhances anyone’s enjoyment of it."

He suggests that attendees review the Ken Burns PBS documentary on national parks (episodes three and four) to add perspective to the program. Dakin was appointed in 2000 by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to the NPS’ Going-to-the-Sun Road Citizens Advisory Committee to advise on its reconstruction.

The presentation is free and open to the public.