OUR STORY
The legacy of Willows Huckleberry Land begins with James Lake Willows, who homesteaded 644 acres in Fairfield, Montana. After enduring many harsh winters, he sold the land and moved to Hungry Horse, where he worked as a logger and form carpenter on the Hungry Horse Dam. In 1949, Jim bought a motel and turned it into "Willows Honey Berry Farm." With three daughters to serve as his waitstaff, he started a restaurant.
Noticing the abundance of wild berries, he frequented Eva Gates’ cannery in Bigfork, seeking tips on making wild berry jams. Finally, she told him, "Willows, I’ve told you all I’m going to—now get out of my shop!"
Dad began buying huckleberries at $5.00 a gallon and became the second person in America to start making Huckleberry Jam and Syrup, and likely the first to make and sell Huck pies. His business thrived for over 30 years, becoming a key employer for local teens during the summer. Jim Lake was an energetic town leader and boy scoutmaster.
In the early 80's, he went heavily into debt to start "Courage College" and a Playhouse, but a recession hit, and he lost his entire empire to the bank. The property changed hands and got renamed "The Huckleberry Patch" but they NEVER GOT THE RECIPES!
2012
1995
In 1993, Jim's only son, James "Buddy" Willows began selling cherries, huckleberries, and huckleberry ice cream from the carport of his 10-by-50-foot trailer. Eventually, he built a small 8-by-20-foot commercial kitchen next to his trailer and began making the famous Willows Huckleberry Preserves once again. It was an immediate hit.
However, the lot HuckLand now sits on was a field between him and the highway. Realizing the importance of this frontage, Buddy scraped together $5,000 but nobody wanted to sell. Inspired by a verse from Jeremiah 33:3, he fasted and sought God’s will. Days after, a "For Sale" sign appeared on the adjacent property, and Buddy was able to negotiate a deal. With the help of his wife and 3 children, the business continued to grow.
In 2010, Buddy received divine inspiration to expand. With the help of a local named Rhino, who later turned his life around with Buddy’s guidance, they built the new store in time for its May opening. Although initially sparse, the store quickly gained a loyal customer base, thanks to the original Willows family recipes and "unbelievably low" prices.
Today, Willows Huckleberry Land continues to thrive every year!! God is faithful, and we always appreciate Dad for pioneering these recipes and concepts. The big corporation-owned "Huckleberry Patch" claims they are "The Original and Best," but local and national contests have repeatedly recognized our pie, jam, and milkshakes as the best in the area.
Huckleberry just runs in our blood.
​
