In 1864, when the Montana Territory was established, the territorial legislative assembly had limited funds to build roads in the territory, so toll roads were authorized to shift funding to private operators. The MacDonald road originated as part of a toll road authorized by Territorial Governor Green Clay Smith and built in 1867 by French Canadian Constant Guyot.
In 1864, when Montana Territory was created, the territorial legislative assembly had limited financial resources for constructing roads within the territory, so they allowed toll roads to redirect funds to private operators. The MacDonald road originated as part of a toll road sanctioned by Territorial Governor Green Clay Smith and constructed in 1867 by French Canadian Constant Guyot.