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

Home on the Range

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. Home on the Range Marker

Captions: (upper right) Roundup - In the spring, cowboys rounded up the herd to brand newborn calves, In the fall, they rounded them up to sort cattle for market.; (center right) Roping - Cowboys cut calves from the herd and roped then for branding.; Branding - They branded each calf with a symbol that legally identified its owner.

Inscription. For cowboys on the open range, chuckwagons like this one were the closest they got to home for weeks at a time. They gathered here for food, companionship, and sleep.
The cook served up coffee, beans, rice, sourdough breads and occasional desserts. He also acted as referee, barber, doctor, and repairman.
His wagon carried enough food and water for 10 to 15 cowboys to live on the trail for a month.

Erected by National Parks Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 24.49′ N, 112° 44.388′ W. Marker is near Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. Marker can be reached from North Main Street (Business Interstate 90) near Warren Lane, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal in the Saddle (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Immigrants Shared an American Dream

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Range to Market (about 500 feet away); Beaverslide Haystacker (about 500 feet away); Vaquero vs. Cowboy (about 500 feet away); Ranching Traditions - A New Generation (about 600 feet away); Winter of 1886 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Also see . . . The Chuck Wagon -- National Cowboy Museum. A 3-minute video of the history of the chuck wagon. brbr Invented by Charles Goodnight for use on the initial cattle drives out of Texas, the chuck wagon’s tradition is kept alive by Old West enthusiasts who compete and appear at events across the country. (Submitted on November 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. Home on the Range Marker

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

3. Chuckwagon

Cooking Over the Camp Fire image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

4. Cooking Over the Camp Fire

Dining Around the Chuckwagon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, circa 1900

5. Dining Around the Chuckwagon

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 44 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.