I was born and raised in Bozeman (about 80 miles from here), and our family did a lot of day trips to these gold rush towns. We were early members of the Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society in 1970 and visited many ghost towns, some way up in the mountains and almost impossible to get to. The buildings in the area covered here were not yet appreciated and in severe deterioration in the 1940's and 1950's when a Montana businessman by the name of Charles Bovey saved the place by buying many buildings (for nearly nothing) and preserving them (at great expense). Bovey hired a curious and enthusiastic young guy by the name of John Ellingsen to help him, and John spent his entire working life preserving these towns. When Bovey died and his financial support went away, John Ellingsen persuaded the State of Montana to take over the properties. John passed away in 2020, working on preserving these towns until his last breath. I've attended talks given by John and his broad knowledge of Montana history was amazing. This may not be super interesting to many but I just want to give a shoutout to Charles Bovey and John Ellingsen. If not for them, these places would be gone.
Mr. Bovey stopped by my grandfathers place in Brandon south of Sheridan and was interested in buying his Model T and was very interested in the Brandon School house but the owners would not sell it. He said it was the oldest one room log schools house in the state and it is still standing and in use as a rental home.
2:00 I grew up there just down the highway, going east towards VC. Just off the highway south of the campground. Used to be a KOA. Anyway thank you for sharing this. I miss that place. I left in the summer of 94. My stepfather and his family owned the Alder Market back in the 70s. Went to school in the one room red brick school house. Then on to Sheridan for middle school and high school. Wow. What a trip down memory lane
Great stuff!!! Love the attention to the old history! (Editing note Lose the crunching foot step sounds every where you walk, really deters from the theme you're trying to convey)
5:14 that tall skinny structure to the left there is a double decker outhouse. lol. I remember so much and your video is taking me back. Did you get to see the Nickelodeon? The steam engine open air museum? Sorry. I’ll stop.
I worked in Billings, Montana quite a few times some years back and have travelled through Montana many times as well. It is such a big state, so alot of times when we do travel through there I'll look through my GPS and take some two lane roads just to get off interstate. And it's always an awesome drive no matter where you are in Montana. I mean the little small towns and some of the mom and pop cafes along the way and especially the old buildings. I always try to talk with some of the old timers from around the area to kinda get a little history lesson whether it's about the town or their family. But mostly the history of the buildings. I haven't been to the places in this video but hope to the next time I venture up that way. Anyways John it's another excellent video. Keep up the great content like you always do.
That’s terrific! Yeah Montana is such an incredible place to explore. I’ve only been twice but can’t wait to go back again. I’m glad the show Yellowstone gives a little insight about life up there so others can see how truly beautiful it is. But I think the people that live there probably prefer to keep people away like the show haha. Thanks again for the nice message and information- always appreciated!
The next time you go up there you need to stop at Crow Agency. That is where Custer got his butt handed to him. They have a really nice museum right there on the grounds of the battlefield. In fact when you go there and take the self guided walk/tour you'll see headstones kinda scattered here and there. Come to find out that's where they actually buried Custer's men where they were shot at and died. From there you can go to Boot Hill which is right there in Billings and there are other sights to see around there as well. Then head to Red Lodge. Great little town at the base of the Beartooth Mountains. But from Billings to Red Lodge you have to go through the little tiny town of Belfry lol!! They have an old old school there which they haven't used in years, and guess what their mascot was.......The Bats!!! Lol!!! I am not making this up at all John!!! Anyways thanks for the reply and can't wait till your next video. Keep up the great content!!
The locals pronounce Laurin as Laray for some reason. Maybe because its founder was French and somehow the locals thought this is the French way of pronouncing Laurin. My grandfather had two general stores there and a ranch on Ramshorn creek and his second and larger store burned in about 1923. I have the original accounts receivable book and some people paid their bill with chickens, ducks and geese.
