Big Sky in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Crail Ranch

(Big Sky)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2021

1. Crail Ranch Marker

Inscription. Frank Crail, County Commissioner from 1889 to 1900, started proving up on his homestead in 1902 at what is now Meadow Village. The ranch became a cattle and wheat ranch of some 960 acres. Crail developed a strain of wheat called Crail Fife. His son Eugene built the Crail log cabin (1/2 mile north). He also built the first Ophir School in 1928. Montana born, Chet Huntley, radio commentator and some corporate investors purchased the Crail and Lone Mountain Ranches. Originally the Lone Mountain Ranch was called B-Bar-K Ranch. In the 1940's it was the Corcoran pulp-wood operation. 1n 1972 Meadow Village opened and later the Mountain Village in Madison County (5 miles west). The Soldiers Chapel was dedicated in 1955 for 82 members of Montana's 163 Infantry killed in World War II. Big Sky Skiing Resort has become a year-round recreation area.

Erected by Montana Cultural Trust and the Gallatin County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 45° 15.96′ N, 111° 17.56′ W. Marker is

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in Big Sky, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is at the intersection of Lone Mountain Trail (State Highway 64) and Little Coyote Road, on the right when traveling west on Lone Mountain Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Sky MT 59716, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Historic Crail Ranch - South View (approx. ¼ mile away); The Historic Crail Ranch - West View (approx. ¼ mile away); The Historic Crail Ranch - East View (approx. ¼ mile away); Crail Ranch Buildings (approx. ¼ mile away); The Historic Crail Ranch - North View (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to the Historic Crail Ranch (approx. 0.3 miles away); B-K (B Bar K) Ranch

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2021

2. Crail Ranch Marker

(approx. 1.7 miles away); Lone Mountain (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Sky.

Also see . . . Big Sky History -- Delger Real Estate. Big Sky is currently booming, but it has undergone numerous changes since its inception in 1973. With the emergence of The Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin, and Spanish Peaks sparking controversy, financial instability, and headaches before eventually emerging to be safe investment opportunities. (Submitted on February 26, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.