Located on Blacktail Mountain above Lakeside, the Kalispell Air Force Station was a key part of America's Cold War defense. Activated in 1959, the site operated high-tech radar as part of the nationwide Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system, watching for potential Soviet aircraft threats.
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The station included two main areas: the upper radar site and a lower living and administrative area in Lakeside. Around 120 personnel were stationed there, forming a tight-knit community that became part of the local fabric.
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Decommissioned in 1978, the radar site was transferred to the FAA and continues to operate as part of the Joint Surveillance System. The lower area was later transformed into a missionary training center by Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in 1985.
 
Though no longer a military base, the Kalispell Air Force Station remains a symbol of Lakeside’s role in national defense during one of the most pivotal periods in U.S. history.