Our Town

Froid, Montana is a one-of-a-kind place.

In fact, Froid is the only town in the USA with that name.  Since “froid” means  “very cold” in French, how did the Norwegians, Danes, Irish, and Germans who settled here choose a French name for their town?

One account says a Frenchman stepped off the train in the dead of winter and cried, “Brrr, il fait froid!" (Brrr, it is very cold!)  Another story is that the town agent named the town for a French engineer whom he admired.  Nowadays, Froid is known as another word for friendly because of the warm welcome you’ll receive when you visit our town.

Settled in the late 1800s by hearty homesteaders eager to start farms on the vast rolling prairie, Froid boomed when the railroad was built. New homesteaders arrived and ranchers obtained the transportation they needed to get their cattle to market quickly.

In the 1920s Froid emerged on the nation’s map as one of 31 national stops on the famed Ford Air Tours. Records show over 20,000 spectators showed up to see the show.

The Great Depression, drought of the “dirty '30s,” and WWII tested the mettle of the men and women in this agricultural and ranching area.  But their resolve and courage won out, and a strong, loyal community was formed.  In the 1950s the population surged and an era of unprecedented prosperity followed.

Folks here are very proud of the hard work, optimism, and cooperation of the families and neighbors who built this vibrant community.  And that legacy continues today with active businesses, committed civic and religious organizations, and involved citizenry. And just where is Froid? Up in the high rolling plains of northeastern Montana, 50 miles from Canada and 30 miles west of North Dakota.