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

Pioneer Museum

(Old County Jail)

— Gallatin County Historical Society —

Pioneer Museum Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rich Pfingsten, March 22, 2009

1. Pioneer Museum Marker

Inscription.
The Pioneer Museum, located next to the Gallatin County Courthouse at 317 West Main, was the former County jail. Along with many museum exhibits showcasing the history of Gallatin County is an Historical Research Library. The photo archives, and one of the largest collections of books on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Build in 1911, the building served as the jail until a new facility was built in 1982. Many of the old jail's features have been preserved, including the gallows, isolation and holding cells, and a former adjoining sheriff's residence. The balcony railings were once the old cell bunks. The Gallatin County Historical Society was organized in 1977. The day the prisoners were moved to a new facility on January 26, 1982, the Society took over the old jail, preserving and renovating the building. The museum is free and open to the public.

Erected 2000 by Sponsored by Montana Cultural Trust and The Gallatin County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1851.

Location. 45° 42.724′ N, 111° 3.842′ W.

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Marker is in Bozeman, Montana, in Gallatin County. It can be reached from N. 19th Avenue near I-90 eastbound entrance ramp (at milepost 305), 0.1 miles east of N. 19th Ave. and E. Valley Center Rd., on the left when traveling south. Located at Bozeman Rest Area along I-90 along with several other historic markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bozeman MT 59718, 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 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: First People in the Gallatin Valley (here, next to this marker); Gallatin History Museum (here, next to this marker); Trail Through Time (a few steps from this marker); Lewis and Clark (a few steps from this marker); Fur Trade (within shouting distance of

Pioneer Museum Marker and several of the One Trail Through Time series of markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rich Pfingsten, March 22, 2009

2. Pioneer Museum Marker and several of the One Trail Through Time series of markers

this marker); Valley of Opportunity (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ellis (within shouting distance of this marker); Bozeman Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bozeman.

More about this marker. This marker is located in the same area as the six illustrated interpretive signs known as "One Trail Through Time: The Bozeman Rest Area signs" in Montana's Historical Highway Markers book (Revised and Expanded by Axline 2008)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2010, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,233 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2010, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.