There’s No Bar Quite Like The Filling Station

If you haven’t stopped in at The Filling Station in Seeley Lake you’re missing out on a fun place. The Filling Station is an institution.  It’s been there since St. Patrick ’s Day 1947. It was first opened by Eddie Coyle.  Beer sold for 15 cents and a shot was a quarter. The place was lit by white gas lanterns until Seeley Lake got electricity in 1953.  It was also the only place in town that had indoor toilets. It became the Filling Station after Don Larson bought the business from Coyle.  He’s the one who added all the gas station signs and collectibles. Kris Martin and George Welch own the business now and are carrying on the tradition. The Filling Station is the community gathering place. Martin employs 17 people and is there every day.  It’s a slice of what small town Montana is all about.  Stop in the next time you’re up that way. Thanks to Andi Bourne editor of the revered Seeley Swan Pathfinder for help on this and thanks to Kris Martin for the photo of Coyles.