Historical Markers in
Rosebud County, Montana

241 North Eleventh Avenue 310 North Eleventh Avenue 411 North Twelfth Avenue 474 North Thirteenth Avenue 542 North Twelfth Avenue 610 North Twelfth Avenue 933 Main Street Bachelors Club Beeman Residence Bland Residence Blue Front Rooming House Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Hall Cattle Brands Choisser Block Claude O. Marcyes House Commercial Hotel Custer Camped Here Custer Campsite - June 22, 1876 E.A. Cornwell Residence E.A. Richardson Residence Edwards Residence F.V.H. Collins Residence First Presbyterian Church and Manse Forsyth Bridge Forsyth Main Street Historic District Forsyth Residential Historic District Forsyth Water Pumping Station Forsyth, MT Forsyth, MT Forsyth, MT Forsyth, MT Forsyth, MT Forsyth, MT Grave of Unknown Man Harry and Frances Cornwall Residence Hiram Marcyes Park Howard School Hunting Party Gone Wrong Ingomar Ingomar Ingomar Public School J.A. Bookman General Store Join the Voyage of Discovery Kennedy-Fletcher Block Lida Parker Residence Masonic Temple Maurice and Mary Lord Residence McCuistion Residence Meeting on Rosebud Creek Merchant Bank Meredith Residence Meyerhoff Residence Northway Residence Railroad Survey of 1873 Ready to March Rosebud Rosebud County Courthouse Rosebud County Deaconess Hospital Rosebud Creek Roxy Theatre Scouting South of the Yellowstone Sorenson Residence St. Philip's Episcopal Church Taber Residence Terry and Gibbon The Hell Creek Formation The Miles City Air Force Station The Reno Scout -June 10-19, 1876 The Seventh Passes in Review Thomas Alexander, 1856-1918 Thurston Residence Vananda State Bank Building Wiley, Clark and Greening Bank Wilson Residence
Butte, Montana, was once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the United States due to its rich deposits of copper, silver, and gold. It was known as "the richest hill on earth" and attracted miners from all over the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Rosebud County, located in the southeastern part of Montana, has a rich and diverse history. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Crow. However, the arrival of European settlers in the mid-19th century marked a significant turning point in Rosebud County's history.

In 1881, the Northern Pacific Railway constructed a line through the region, leading to the establishment of several towns, including Rosebud, Forsyth, and Colstrip. These towns quickly grew as settlers arrived in search of opportunities in ranching, farming, and coal mining. Rosebud County became known for its vast cattle ranches and fertile agricultural land.

During the early 20th century, Rosebud County witnessed significant development in coal mining. Large-scale operations were established in areas like Colstrip, contributing to the county's economic growth. The coal mining industry thrived for many years and became a major employer in the region.

In recent years, Rosebud County has faced various challenges, including the declining coal industry and the impacts of climate change. Efforts have been made to diversify the economy and explore new sources of renewable energy. Despite these challenges, Rosebud County remains a picturesque region with a blend of scenic landscapes, small towns, and a rich cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Rosebud County, Montana.

  • 1879 - Rosebud County is established as a county in the Montana Territory.
  • 1886 - The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad reach Forsyth, the county seat.
  • 1901 - Colstrip is founded as a mining town.
  • 1907 - The first oil well is drilled in the county, marking the beginning of oil production in the area.
  • 1918 - The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation is established in the southeastern part of the county.
  • 1940s - The construction of the Fort Peck Dam and Reservoir brings economic growth to the county.
  • 1954 - The Rosebud Coalfield is discovered, leading to increased coal mining activity.
  • 1979 - The Colstrip Power Plant begins operation, becoming one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the western United States.
  • 1998 - The Custer National Forest expands to include a significant portion of Rosebud County.
  • 2006 - The Rosebud Mine, one of the largest coal mines in the state, surpasses 500 million tons of coal production.