Historical Markers in
Gallatin County, Montana

213 East Olive 218 East Olive 219 East Olive Street 22 West Lamme 226-232 East Main 610 South Willson Avenue A Leap Just in Time Adams Block Alcoa-Lewis Residence Amos R. Howerton Residence Apollo J. Busch House B-K (B Bar K) Ranch Beall Park Community Center Belgrade City Hall Blackmore Apartments Bohart House Bozeman Carnegie Library Bozeman Comes of Age Bozeman High School Bozeman Hotel Annex Bozeman Pass Bozeman Veterans Memorial Bozeman YMCA Brewery Historic District Burr Fisher House Byron Story Mansion Charles S. Hartman Residence Colter's Run 1808 Colter’s Run Colter’s Run Crail Ranch Crail Ranch Buildings Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home Dr. Walter E. Dean Residence Early Bozeman Earthquake Lake Geologic Area Electric Block Emil Ketterer Residence European Interest in the Missouri Federal Building and Post Office First People in the Gallatin Valley Fort Ellis Fort Ellis Frederick W. Bull House Fur Trade Fur Trade Gallatin Block Gallatin City Gallatin City Hotel - 1868 Gallatin History Museum Gallatin Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M Geologists' Dream Hamilton House Headwaters of the Missouri River Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake Holy Rosary Church Rectory Hotel Baxter In Patriotic Memory of Sacajawea Jefferson’s Instructions to Lewis and Clark Lewis & Clark Arrive at the Headwaters July, 1805 Lewis and Clark Lewis and Clark reach the Headwaters Lindley Park Lindley Place Historic District Lindsay Fruit Company Lone Mountain Louisiana Purchase - 1803 Malmborg School Mendenhall Residence Methodist Episcopal Church, Three Forks Misco Grain Elevator Missouri River Headwaters Native Americans North Tracy Avenue Historic District Oregon Short Line 1903 Oregon Shortline Terminus Peterson House Pioneer Museum Refuge Point Robert A. Cooley Roll of Honor Ruby Theatre Sacajawea Sacajawea Captured in 1800 Sacajawea Hotel Second Gallatin City Sleep Interrupted Snowed In! Something is terribly wrong Southern Gallatin County St. James Episcopal Church and Rectory Stateler Memorial Methodist Church Susan Kirk Residence The 442nd The Bozeman Trail The Fur Trapper The Historic Crail Ranch - East View The Historic Crail Ranch - North View The Historic Crail Ranch - South View The Historic Crail Ranch - West View The Lake that Tilted The Log Cabin The Naming of a River The Night the Earth Cracked The Night’s Peace Was Shattered The Three Forks of the Missouri Thomas Noble House Thomas-Frederick Flour Mill Three Forks Post - 1810 Three Valleys State Bank Thunder Horses Tivoli Beer Hall Trail Through Time Trident Union Pacific Identification Pylon Valley of Opportunity Veterans Park Welcome to Parker Homestead State Park Welcome to the Historic Crail Ranch Willow Creek
Montana was the first state to elect a woman to Congress, Jeannette Rankin, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916. She was a pacifist and voted against the entry of the United States into both World War I and World War II.
Montana random facts
Gallatin County, Montana is located in the southwestern part of the state and has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Crow, Blackfeet, and Shoshone, who hunted and fished in the region. They lived off the land and had a deep connection to the natural resources of the area.

In the early 1800s, European explorers and fur trappers ventured into the Gallatin Valley. John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is believed to be the first recorded white explorer in the area. Trappers and traders like John Bozeman and Jim Bridger also made their way through the valley, establishing trading posts and creating trails.

The discovery of gold in the nearby Alder Gulch in 1863 brought a wave of settlers to Gallatin County. Bozeman, named after John Bozeman, became a central hub for gold miners and prospectors. The establishment of Fort Ellis near Bozeman during the Indian Wars further contributed to the growth of the area and provided protection for settlers.

As more settlers arrived, Gallatin County was officially established in 1865. The county was named after Albert Gallatin, a prominent statesman and former Secretary of the Treasury. Agriculture became a major industry in the area, with the fertile soil and abundant water sources supporting the growth of crops and livestock.

Today, Gallatin County is known for its stunning natural beauty, including its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin National Forest. It has also become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a thriving economy, driven by industries such as tourism, agriculture, and technology.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Gallatin County, Montana.

  • 1805: The Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the area that will become Gallatin County.
  • 1864: Gallatin County is established by the territorial legislature of Montana.
  • 1871: The city of Bozeman is founded as the county seat of Gallatin County.
  • 1883: The Northern Pacific Railway reaches Bozeman, spurring economic growth in the area.
  • 1910: The Montana State University is established in Bozeman.
  • 1960s: Gallatin County experiences a population boom due to its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
  • 2008: The term "Gallatin Valley" is officially recognized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to describe the region.