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

From Range to Market

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. From Range to Market Marker

Inscription. The open range cattle industry boomed by feeding the expanding urban population in the East. Cowboys herded cattle to rail heads where they were transported to those markets in cattle cars, like the ones you see down the track to you left. Those tracks were part of the Old Milwaukee Railroad that was laid in 1907.
The first railroad through the valley was the Northern Pacific. The tracks were laid through the Kohrs property in 1883. Despited their apparent convenience to Kohrs, neither of these tracks was used to ship cattle.
Most of Kohrs' cattle were shipped by rail from eastern Montana to the Chicago stockyards. He also supplied beef to mining camps to the west.

(Side-bar at upper right:)

More than Meat -- Cattle parts are used to make many things:

Bones: jewelry, utensils, cups
Hooves: dog treats, keratin, film
Fat: soap, dynamite, rubber tires
Hide: leather products
Hair: paintbrushes
Lungs: heparin (an anticoagulant):
Adrenal glands: steroids Pancreas: insulin
Gallstones: aphrodisiacs
Intestines: surgical suture

Erected by National Parks Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals.

Location.

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46° 24.509′ N, 112° 44.283′ 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. Vaquero vs. Cowboy (here, next to this marker); Ranching Traditions - A New Generation (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Immigrants Shared an American Dream (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal in the Saddle (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter of 1886 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds (about 300 feet away); Home on the Range (about 500 feet away); Beaverslide Haystacker (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. From Range to Market Marker

Old rail cars in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.