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

Eldridge

Photographed by Scott White, August 18, 2026

1. Eldridge Marker

Inscription. Eldridge was an early day tie and lumber camp for the Northern Pacific Railway from 1902 to 1914. Walter Cooper operated the camp which was located a few miles up Taylor Fork. The "tie camp" was where logs were milled for railroad ties. In the spring during high water many logs were floated down the Gallatin River to Salesville (now Gallatin Gateway) and on to the Cooper Mill at Central Park. There was a post office at Eldridge from 1903 to 1907. When the camp closed, the post office was moved to Buffalo Horn Ranch (320 Ranch) and operated until 1940. Eldridge ceased to exist in 1907. In 1912 a school district was formed north of here. In 1928 a log school was built at Porcupine Creek and was replaced in 1963 by the present Ophir School. The name Ophir meant "City of Gold".

Erected 1999 by Montana Cultural Trust and the Gallatin County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 45° 5.629′ N, 111° 12.899′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is near Big Sky, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is on US Highway 191 (U.S. 191 at milepost 35), 0.3 miles south of Flints Creek Road, on the right when traveling south. Located at a turnout across Hwy 191 from the 320 Ranch property and on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Buffalo Horn Creek Road, Gallatin Gateway MT 59730, 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 13 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Lone Mountain (approx. 11.9 miles away); Crail Ranch (approx. 12½ miles away); The Historic Crail Ranch - South View (approx. 12.8 miles away); The Historic Crail Ranch - West View (approx. 12.8 miles away); Crail Ranch Buildings

Photographed by Scott White, August 18, 2026

2. Eldridge Marker

(approx. 12.8 miles away); The Historic Crail Ranch - East View (approx. 12.8 miles away); The Historic Crail Ranch - North View (approx. 12.8 miles away); Welcome to the Historic Crail Ranch (approx. 12.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Sky.

More about this marker. The sign is quite weathered and faded but still mostly readable.
From "Names on the Face of Montana: The Story of Montana's Place Name", by Roberta Carkeek Cheney, 1987: Eldridge (Gallatin) had a post office 1903-1940. George Dean was the first postmaster.

Additional keywords. lumber

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2026, by Scott White of Southern Pines, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2026, by Scott White of Southern Pines, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.