Montana Magazine folding after nearly 50 years

HE L E NA, » Montana Magazine is folding after nearly 50 years of publishing stories and stunning images of the state’s people, geography, history and culture, owner Lee Enterprises announced.

“Unfortunately, the dynamics of the publishing business have changed and the magazine has reached the end of its distinguished run,” general manager Matt Gibson wrote to subscribers on Tuesday.

Rick Graetz founded the magazine in 1970 because, he said, “I just knew Montana needed a magazine.” He sold it to Lee Enterprises in 1994 and said Wednesday he was disappointed with the decision to stop publishing.

The final issue, out soon, is a retrospective that includes “several really great stories that have appeared over the 48year life of the magazine,” said David McCumber, who once founded a competing magazine and edited the final six issues of Montana Magazine.

There’s a past story by Frank Craighead, a pioneer bear researcher in Yellowstone National Park, who wrote about putting the first radio collar on a grizzly bear and another piece that profiles Montana native and western author Ivan Doig.

Graetz has an essay in the final edition called “This is Montana,” that is illustrated with photos by Graetz and his wife Susie Graetz.

“The magazine certainly paid homage to Montana’s history and scenic beauty, outdoor culture, ranch culture and the many great characters that make up Montana,” Mccumber said. “There was never any shortage of wonderful material to go in the magazine.”

However, it had become more difficult to sell enough ads, which Mccumber said was a reflection of the magazine market as a whole.

The final issue’s cover is an image of a cowgirl leading a horse back to a barn at sunset. It was shot by Todd Klassy of Havre, who has contributed photos since 2010.

“I’ve been blessed,” to be published in the magazine, Klassy said.

“I have the last photo on the cover of the magazine and I have the last photo that appears on the last page of the magazine,” he said. “I’d much rather not have any photos in the magazine and have it succeed and continue publishing.”