Photojournalism: CMR Then and Now

10 rustlernews.com February 6, 2020 T hen Now Layout and Photos by Cole Arthur &

2020 marks CMR’s 54 th year and 10,000 th school day

In an article published in the Great Falls Tribune the day the school opened in the fall of 1965, the paper proclaimed that CMR is built of 1,300,000 bricks, 750 tons of reinforced steel, 12,000 yards of concrete, and 19 miles of pipe.

Now as the school nears 10,000 school days in the 54-yearold building, we look back at some historic and not so historic moments that have defined the last half century and highlight some changes big and small that have come in that time. “When we stepped through these doors for the first time, we realized the formidable task of molding ourselves into a united and spirited student body. As the year passed, we established many precedents, which we hope will evolve into cherished traditions. Now, as we reflect upon our first year at Charles M. Russell High School, we realize...” A special message from Russellog 1966

“As these doors close on the first year of CMR, we realize that the task of molding ourselves into a united and spirited student body is completed until next year. In many ways we have acheived, and in many ways we have failed; but we know that we have done our best to make this year a rewarding one. For those of us returning, the task continues. For those of us leaving, there will always remain the satisfaction and the memory that...”

The fieldhouse under construction (above left) and after more than 50 years of use (above). President Ronald Reagan speaks in the CMR fieldhouse (above) and the space (now with the stage removed) today. Historic Photo Courtesy Reagan Presidential Library.