Near Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds Marker

Inscription. The ranch herd today consists of many breeds raised during the open range era.
Hardy and adaptable, the Texas Longhorn breed was well suited to live on the open range. Evolved from Spanish cattle, the Texas Longhorn is the only breed which traces its beginning to America, and is able to survive without human help.
Shorthorn cattle were shipped over from England and brought West by settlers. They were easier to handle, were able to pull wagons, and could be used for beef or dairy.
Kohrs was one of the first ranchers to bring Hereford cattle to Montana in 1868. They not only were able to survive the rough ranching of the West, but also offered improved beef quality. Herefords are a muscular breed that is heavier, making them more profitable.

(side-bar on bottom left:)

How Big is an Acre?
The fenced pasture in from of you is about two-thirds of an acre. Try walking around it to the a sense of scale. The parking lot where you arrived is about one acre.
In this region, each animal needs more than one acre of pasture per month to survive.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals.

Location. 46° 24.517′ N, 112° 44.365′ W. Marker is near Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. It can be reached from North Main Street (Business Interstate 90) near Warren Lant, on the left when traveling north. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site parking lot is on the left side of North Main Street, just north of Deer Lodge. From there, one must walk to the ranch buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 266 Warren Lane, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. 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 walking distance of this marker: Equal in the Saddle

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Home on the Range (within shouting distance of this marker); From Range to Market (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Two Immigrants Shared an American Dream (about 400 feet away); Vaquero vs. Cowboy (about 400 feet away); Ranching Traditions - A New Generation (about 500 feet away); Beaverslide Haystacker (about 500 feet away); Winter of 1886 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.