Wibaux in Wibaux County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Wibaux House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

1. Wibaux House Marker

Inscription. Pierre Wibaux, scion of a distinguished French textile family, arrived here at the settlement of Mingusville in 1883, establishing a cattle ranch about 12 miles north. His herds fared well during the devastating “Hard Winter of 1886-1887,” after which he borrowed family money to buy out less fortunate ranchers. By the mid-1890s, his ranch was one of the largest cattle operations in the nation, running about 65,000 head of cattle and 300 of horses. He sold from 3,000 to 9,000 cattle each year. Wibaux and others persuaded the Northern Pacific Railroad to build stockyards here in 1883, and to enlarge them in 1894. Wibaux campaigned to have Mingusville platted and renamed for him, both of which occurred in 1894. Two years previously, he and Henry Boice of the Berry- Boice Cattle Company had built this office/residence. Wibaux soon took it over completely, and used it during the week to oversee his business interests. The building faced north until W. A. Orgain, a local merchant, purchased the property in 1903 and moved the building to the rear and facing west. Originally it was surrounded by a lush park of grass and arbored

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vines tended by a French gardener, the water for irrigation and two artificial ponds supplied by an elevated tank filled by a windmill.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program, and the Windmills series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 46° 59.211′ N, 104° 11.212′ W. Marker is in Wibaux, Montana, in Wibaux County. It is on Orgain Avenue near Drake Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 Orgain Avenue, Wibaux MT 59353, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outheast Montana in Custer Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

Wibaux House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

2. Wibaux House and Marker

it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pierre Wibaux (within shouting distance of this marker); Wibaux Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Clark Hardware Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Smith Saloon (about 300 feet away); St. Peter's Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Join the Voyage of Discovery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welcome to Dinosaur Country (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Pierre Wibaux (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wibaux.

Wibaux House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

3. Wibaux House

Drake Livery Stable with local brands affixed to the outside. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

4. Drake Livery Stable with local brands affixed to the outside.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.