Chester is a rural incorporated community of 871 residents. The community is located along US Highway No. 2 in North Central Montana. The Town is the only incorporated community within Liberty County and also serves as the County seat.  Local jurisdiction consists of a Council/Mayor form of government.

In July 1806 Meriwether Lewis and his party were the first recorded white men in this area of north central Montana.  Following the Lewis and Clark Expedition, fur trappers, hardy adventurers, and a few prospectors came, and in the 1880’s large cattle and sheep ranches were established.

Between 1910 and 1918 two homestead acts brought many settlers to the area. Homesteader “shacks” appeared on virtually every quarter or half-section as people swarmed into the newly opened territory to “prove-up” on their acres. Many who came went broke, perished in drought, or froze in long, cold winters. Others stuck out the hardships and formed the basis for the modern mechanized farming economy prevalent in this area today.

Liberty County was created from sections of Chouteau and Hill counties in 1919 when 72% of the voters in the area voted for the proposition. At this same election Chester was chosen as the county seat. Liberty County became the first county formed after World War I.

Chester has a small rural population, but boasts nearly 100 businesses ranging from grocery stores to restaurants, banks, and motels. The town’s local newspaper, the Liberty County Times, is published every Wednesday. Chester is also the site of an all-weather airport with surfaced and lighted runways maintained by the county.

Chester is an incorporated city with an elected mayor and city council.  Public utilities available in Chester include drinking water, wastewater and garbage disposal maintained by the city. A cooperative telephone company serves Chester and a private utility provides electrical power and natural gas to Chester residents. The Chester Joplin Inverness Public Schools complex houses grades K-12. It has two gymnasiums, two football fields, an outdoor classroom, a baseball diamond, track, tennis courts, and two playgrounds.