Vicky MacLean (no relation to author Norman MacLean), retired from the Helena National Forest after 21 years of riding the range and working with local ranchers while overseeing management of grazing allotments on the Helena Ranger District. She now lives in Ronan, Montana.
Vicky MacLean roofing at Big Hole Peak Lookout, Lolo National Forest, Passport in Time (PIT) project, 2013.
After her retirement she published three books on Forest Service history: The Helena National Forest, the early days, a history of the people who lived and worked there, in conjunction with the Montana Discovery Foundation in 2010; Home on the Range, Montana’s Eastside Ranger Stations in 2013; and A Home in the Woods, Montana’s Westside Ranger Stations in 2014. This site, with the help of its readers, will offer corrections and updates to augment information found in these books and eventually will offer additional chapters to the Helena National Forest history.
Presently in progress is a book (as of yet untitled) on the history of the ranger stations of the Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests in Idaho. If you worked on or grew up at any of those ranger stations and have information or photos to share please contact Vicky. Check out “How you can help” and contact Vicky through the “Contact “section.
A new page has been added under “News.” Newly found photos which were not included in the books will be featured on the New Photo page. They will reside there for one year, after which time they will be rolled over into the photo gallery.