Deer Lodge - Montana

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Deer Lodge, Montana

The second oldest community in Montana, Deer Lodge is still the site of one of the largest ranching operations in the US. Johnny Grant, of Scottish-French-Metis blood which in those days conferred an advantage, established his own ranch in 1862. He encouraged other settlers to follow since the pleasant climate and luxuriant supply of bunch grass prairie were ideal for raising cattle and horses. The success of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic site which now encompasses 1,500 acres, is testament to his high opinion of the area.

A natural phenomenon gave rise to the name Deer Lodge. Large deer herds were attracted to the natural salt lick which came from a geological feature called Warm Springs Mound. Other wildlife overwintered in the valley due to its sheltered location.

John Bozeman, the founder of Bozeman, MT, lived in Deer Lodge for a time. Another Deer Lodge resident was Edgar Samuel Paxson who was an American painter, along with a handful of other professions. His paintings of Native Americans in the Old West and, in particular, his rendition of the Battle of Little Bighorn made him famous. Conrad Kohrs was a Montana cattle rancher who purchased a ranch from Johnny Grant in the Deer Lodge area. At its peak, his ranch laid claim to 50,000 head of cattle spread across 10 million acres. A bad winter put an end to the operation at that size. The amalgamation of the two ranches resulted in the national historic site which is still a working ranch, courtesy of the National Park Service.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
the Montana Prison Complex houses six different museums
Old Prison Museum (unused since 1979
Frontier Montana Museum
Montana Law Enforcement Museum
Powell County Museum
New Vintage Car and Transportation Museum
Deer Lodge National Forest
Arrow Stone Park
Browns Lake and Blackfoot Waterfowl Area
biking or hiking trails, such as Racetrack Peak, Circle Tour
fishing in nearby waters, such as Rock Creek, Lower and Middle Dolus Lakes