Early History & Settlement
Indigenous peoples, exploration, Bannack's gold discoveries, and the beginnings of Montana's territorial history.
OUR STORIES AND HERITAGE
History of
Beaverhead County
From the earliest inhabitants to the communities of today.
DISCOVER OUR PAST
A History Worth Preserving
Beaverhead County's history reflects the people, landscapes, and events that shaped southwest Montana.
Explore the region's Indigenous heritage, mining settlements, ranching traditions, growing communities, and the changes that brought the county into the modern era.
Ranching & Agriculture
Cattle ranching, hay production, irrigation, the Big Hole Valley, and the distinctive beaverslide hay stacker.
Towns & Communities
Dillon, Lima, Wisdom, Jackson, Grant, Polaris, Glen, and other communities, past and present.
The 20th Century
Transportation, schools, businesses, military service, and changing life throughout Beaverhead County.
Recent Decades
Community milestones, economic changes, local traditions, and the people shaping Beaverhead County today.
Help Preserve Our History
This history collection is being developed. Additional stories, photographs, documents, and historical references will be added as they become available.