Tour of Historic Deer Lodge Montana

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1. Grant–Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

The Grant–Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site showcases the history of the open-range cattle industry in the American West. It was established by pioneer open-range cattle rancher Johnny Grant in 1862 and bought in 1866 by Conrad Kohrs, who became one of the most influential cattlemen in the state. Kohrs, who operated the ranch until 1920, expanded his landholdings to the enormous size of 10 million acres, covering an area that reached into Canada and spanned across parts of four states. The size of his herd was equally impressive, growing to 50,000 cattle. Today, the site is a working ranch. It is 1,600 acres in size and features 88 historic buildings, a visitor center, pastures, ten miles of ranch roads and trails, and historic farm equipment. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours, watch demonstrations, attend living history events, and see horses, chickens, and cattle. The ranch was declared a National Historic Site in 1960, and it became a museum in 1972.

2. Deer Lodge Women's Club

Women from Deer Lodge have been meeting at the historic Deer Lodge Women's Club since 1910, the year it was built. The club was originally a chapter house of an organization called the American Women's League, which was established in 1907 by publisher Edward Gardner Lewis, who published women's magazines and supported women's rights. This club was one of 39 that the League built across 16 states and was designed in the Prairie style with an Arts and Crafts-style interior. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The club has served as a place where women can participate in a variety of social, civic, and cultural activities.

3. William K. Kohrs Memorial Library

The William K. Kohrs Memorial Library was built in 1903 by cattleman and state senator Conrad Kohrs and his wife, Augusta, as a gift to the city in honor of their son, William, who died suddenly in 1901. Conrad Kohrs was one of most successful cattle barons in the country during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He contributed greatly to the economic prosperity of Deer Lodge and western Montana. The building itself is a fine example of Beau-Arts and Classical Revival architecture. It features a granite and sandstone exterior, a terra-cotta tile roof, a portico main entrance with Ionic columns, a central dome of colored glass, and a memorial stained glass window dedicated to William. The library is therefore historically significant for its architecture and association with the Kohrs family.

4. Rialto Theater

As Powell County's only auditorium, the Rialto Theater has been an important cultural and performing arts center for the community since it opened in 1921. Its architecture is also adds to its significance. Designed in the Beaux-Arts, "movie palace" style, the theater features a glazed-brick asymmetrical facade; a two-story pavilion serving as the main entrance that has decorative terra cotta shields and columns topped with Corinthian capitals; oval stained glass windows; terra cotta garlands; and red clay tiles on the roof. Over the years, the theater has hosted numerous plays and concerts as well a variety of events including dances, conferences, movies, and funerals. It remains a vital part of community life in the county.

5. Old Montana Prison & Auto Museum Complex

The Old Montana Prison & Auto Museum Complex consists of five separate museums: the historic Montana State Prison museum, an automobile museum, the Powell County Museum, the Frontier Montana Museum, and Yesterday's Playthings. Designed in the Romanesque style, the castle-like prison originally built in 1871. The main building was constructed in 1912 with red bricks and features 400 cells and four large square towers at each corner. The prison wall that surrounds the complex was completed in the early 1890s. The prison closed for good in 1979 due to its deteriorating condition. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

6. Last Spike Monument

Situated at the intersection of Conley Avenue and Main Street, this monument commemorates the last spike that was driven into the Puget Sound extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (aka, the "Milwaukee Road") on May 19, 1909. The event took place approximately 17 miles to the northwest, not far from the town of Garrison along Gold Creek. The company decided to build the extension to Pacific Ocean in 1905 to compete with other railroad companies, particularly the Great Northern Railroad and Union Pacific. The monument consists of a large replica spike and interpretive panels. The site also features a locomotive, an electric engine, and a train car all once owned by the Milwaukee Road. The monument was originally installed near the site where the lines met but was moved here in 2003.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Tour of Historic Deer Lodge Montana

Created by Clio Admin on June 22nd 2020, 7:53:07 pm.

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Description

While Deer Lodge's population might be small, this Montana community has much to offer for those who enjoy history. This tour begins at the Last Spike Monument commemorating the completion of the Puget Sound extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The tour then moves on to several museums collectively known as the Old Montana Prison and Auto Museum Complex before moving on to historic downtown buildings like the Rialto Theater. The tour concludes at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.

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Tour of Historic Deer Lodge Montana

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