South Side in Billings in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

J.K. Ralston Cabin-Studio

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

1. J.K. Ralston Cabin-Studio Marker

Inscription. This log cabin was built in 1946 by the renowned western artist. It served as his studio for 40 years, located 3 miles west of Billings along Grand Avenue, commercial growth gradually surrounded the cabin. In 1988 it was moved to the campus at Rocky Mountain College. The Western Heritage Center acquired the cabin in 2004 and relocated it to this location on Montana Avenue. The cabin is visible evidence of his life and represents a legacy of our history through art.

Erected 2005.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 45° 46.846′ N, 108° 30.332′ W. Marker is in Billings, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is in the South Side. It is on Montana Avenue (Business Interstate 90) near North 28th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2822 Montana Avenue, Billings MT 59101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Yellowstone Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the

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Lewis & Clark Corridor.

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 Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Losekamp Building - 1903 (a few steps from this marker); An Automobile at the Cigar Store (a few steps from this marker); Losekamp Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Billings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Parmly Billings Library Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Parmly Billings Library - 1901 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Western Heritage Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Indigenous Homeland (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Billings.

Also see . . . J.K. Ralston -- Wikipedia. ...He spent his early adult years as a cowboy in eastern Montana. In 1917, after completing high school, he "rode a cattle train to Chicago," where he attended the Chicago Art Institute for three months before joining the United States Army in spring of 1918....(He)returned to Montana in 1930 and took over the Roman E, his father's ranch, near Culbertson, Montana. The Great Depression forced them to move to Billings, Montana in 1935. Ralston opened a studio in Billings and worked as a professional full-time artist.

J.K. Ralston Cabin-Studio and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

2. J.K. Ralston Cabin-Studio and Marker

(Submitted on January 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

James Kenneth Ralston 1896-1987 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame

3. James Kenneth Ralston 1896-1987

A Horse of a Different Color image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2020

4. A Horse of a Different Color

Not Ralston's work.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.