Ghost Stories of the Bitterroot Valley

As the leaves begin to fall, the stories of the past begin to come alive. Not just the stories you know all too well, but stories that linger in cemeteries and go bump in the night. Ghost Stories of Western Montana will explore the haunting tales of murder, mystery, and conspiracy in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley between 1860 and 1945.

Come learn about Western Montana's untold ghost stories...if you dare. If you’re interested in local history with a spooky twist, this fascinating presentation is for you.

Speaker Bio

Sophia Etier is a Montana Native and Public Historian, focusing her research on the development of local Montana History as well as specializing in the heritage of Western Montana's red-light districts and the development of minority communities within the region. In September 2023, Sophia presented her research Forgotten Souls: The Lost Voices of Western Montana’s Restricted Districts at the Montana History Conference, and in March 2024, she presented Lost Montana: The Path from Remembrance to Inclusive Heritage at the University of Montana Western Ted Talk Conference.

Sophia also is a lead guide and tour developer for the Unseen Missoula heritage tour program, primarily overseeing the Carnal Enterprises red-light tour which she curated in 2023. Sophia is currently working on the advancement of her research as a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montana.