Near Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
The Judith Basin Country
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019
1. The Judith Basin Country Marker
Inscription.
The Judith Basin Country. . The Judith Basin occupies a central place in Montana's history. For centuries, the lush grasses of the region attracted large numbers of buffalo, antelope, and deer. The abundant game, in turn, drew Indian hunting parties to this area. But the late 1870's, the Indians had been confined to reservations outside the basin and most of the buffalo were gone. Montana cattlemen moved into the area in 1880. By 1885 cattle grazed in this valley. Outfits active in the area were the Judith Cattle Company, the renowned Davis-Hauser-Stuart (DHS) Ranch, and Conrad Kohrs and Nick Bielenberg. Artist Charlie Russell, who gained much of his early experience as a cowboy here during the 1880's, later captured the area's rich and colorful history in some of his most famous paintings. After the cattlemen came the homesteaders, many of them drawn to this agriculturally fertile area by the marketing of the Great Northern and Milwaukee Road Railroads.
The Judith Basin occupies a central place in Montana's history. For centuries, the lush grasses of the region attracted large numbers of buffalo, antelope, and deer. The abundant game, in turn, drew Indian hunting parties to this area. But the late 1870's, the Indians had been confined to reservations outside the basin and most of the buffalo were gone. Montana cattlemen moved into the area in 1880. By 1885 cattle grazed in this valley. Outfits active in the area were the Judith Cattle Company, the renowned Davis-Hauser-Stuart (DHS) Ranch, and Conrad Kohrs and Nick Bielenberg. Artist Charlie Russell, who gained much of his early experience as a cowboy here during the 1880's, later captured the area's rich and colorful history in some of his most famous paintings. After the cattlemen came the homesteaders, many of them drawn to this agriculturally fertile area by the marketing of the Great Northern and Milwaukee Road Railroads.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 47° 3.317′ N, 109° 27.561′ W. Marker is near Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. Marker is on U.S. 87 near H Street, on the left when traveling
More about this marker. This marker is located at the Kiwanis Club Campground.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019
2. The Judith Basin Country Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
