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

Wibaux Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

1. Wibaux Commercial Historic District Marker

Inscription. From its roots as a pre-1900s cattle town to a farming community after the turn of the century, Wibaux well illustrates the transformation borne by many small Montana towns. This historic district reflects the high point of the town’s influence as an agricultural center. The dryland farming movement (1905-1915) brought an influx of settlers which in turn increased the number of farms and eliminated open range cattle ranching. Wibaux experienced a shift from the stockyard industry to agricultural trade. When a devastating fire swept away the principal business blocks in the district in 1906, the frame, false-fronted buildings and board sidewalks became a thing of the past. One- and two-story closely grouped brick buildings constructed between 1905 and 1917 replaced most of the frame structures. Today these give the district its architectural cohesiveness, featuring transitional stylistic elements between Classical Revival and the more modern “Prairie” school of commercial design. In 1910 alone, commercial construction expenditures exceeded $92,000, and Wibaux supported almost 50 businesses. The town had come a long way from

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its 1880 origins and its lively reputation as one of the “toughest towns north of the Rio Grande.”

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 46° 59.189′ N, 104° 11.265′ W. Marker is in Wibaux, Montana, in Wibaux County. It is on North Wibaux Street near 1st Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 North Wibaux Street, 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, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2020

2. Wibaux Commercial Historic District Marker

Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smith Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Clark Hardware Company (a few steps from this marker); Wibaux House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierre Wibaux (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Peter's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Join the Voyage of Discovery (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Dinosaur Country (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Pierre Wibaux (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wibaux.

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 271 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on December 27, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.