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.
During the Montana Territory's establishment in 1864, the territorial legislative assembly lacked sufficient funds for building roads within the territory, so they authorized toll roads to reallocate funds to private contractors. The MacDonald road began as a section of a toll road approved by Territorial Governor Green Clay Smith and constructed in 1867 by French Canadian Constant Guyot.