Population boomed as outsiders and expatriate Montanans moved here in droves, seeking solace from life in the big city. Tourism flourished as the Lewis and Clark bicentennial loomed, making Montana a destination for millions of travelers. And a popular, moderate governor gained national recognition, presiding over a rebounding economy after years of budget scrimping.

But has Montana really embraced the change that bulled its way into the state in the 1990s? Or is this "debutante" really just a retread, a temporary face on the same old crusty, conflicted Montana that will look the same way once the makeup has been stripped away?

Yes, Montana attracted newcomers to the "last best place" - but also saw personal income for its citizens shrink to the lowest in the nation, while in-migration drove housing costs to stratospheric heights for the average Montanan.

Yes, our rugged individualism and remote places became a good sell - but also manifested themselves as a haven for extremists and radical hermits, from the Montana Militia to the "Freemen" to Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.

Yes, we tackled the tax-reform monster, attempting to redraft an antiquated tax system that has burdened many property owners - and we largely failed, leaving the system more complex and misunderstood than ever.

Yes, Republican Gov. Marc Racicot presided over a GOP resurgence that led to the party's simultaneous control over the Legislature, the executive office and Montana's only Congressional seat - but Democrats still control many other state offices, Racicot fought more with his own party in the Legislature than Democrats, and ballot initiatives often decided contentious political issues of the day.

Yes, the state budget finally got a glimpse of black ink after the long, lean 1980s - but govenment still found itself besieged by anti-tax anitiatives and referenda.

Yes, Montana's Indian tribes began to assert more aggressively their sovereignty and rights - but the reservations and many of their peoples remained mired in poverty.

And yes, we talked endlessly about economic development and diversification for a state (that) seems poised to do something about it - but we are torn about what these changes might bring, as many Montanans actively resist big plans to retool or revitalize the economy.

"I guess we've always been a state of contradictions," says historian Mike Malone, the president of Montana State University - Bozeman. "We're probably (that way) more now than ever now ((sic)."