Bozeman History
Images of cowboys, native Americans, open spaces,
pioneer trails and wild and rowdy miners are
still part of the mystique associated with our
area. But there is more than this and more
than most people imagine for a city of our size.
History is alive and abundant in Bozeman, Montana.
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The Pickle Barrel - Legandary Sandwiches
A landmark among local dining establishments, a "must experience" when visiting town. Two locations to serve you downtown. See our menu online.
(406) 551-2080
Evidence of Bozeman's unique local
heritage can be found throughout the city.
Bozeman now has eight historical districts and
more than 40 individual properties listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Native Americans
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Bozeman is an area that was once home to very early native peoples dating back thousands of years. Tribal bands including the Shoshone, Nez Perce, Blackfeet, Flathead and Sioux, date back several hundred years. The area was rich with game, water and plants used by the natives.
Lewis and Clark
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Europeans may have entered the valley in the late 1700s as they searched and trapped for beaver pelts to send back East for hats and coats. The Lewis and Clark party left the first written description of the valley in both 1805 and 1806 during its epic journey. For information about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, visit: http://lewisandclark.state.mt.us .
Gold & the Bozeman Trail
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When gold was discovered 60 and 80 miles to the west, the rush was on over the new Bozeman Trail, established by John Bozeman, a Georgian also looking for gold. The trail formed the northern spur off of the Oregon Trail. This trail began at Landrock and ended at Virginia City, Montana. John Bozeman began to lead new settlers over this trail in 1864. it was open for three years until it was closed by the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians who wanted to stop the immigration of new setters into the area. Many who followed this trail for gold returned to the valley to take up farming and business.
A Town is Born
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On July 7, 1864, Daniel E. Rouse and William J. Beall drafted plans for the town site. The name of Bozeman was chosen August 9, 1864, and named the Gallatin County seat in 1867.
Jim Bridger came to Bozeman in 1864. A well known frontiersman, Bridger brought the first wagon train through the canyon north of town now known as Bridger Canyon. The mountain range north of town is known as the Bridger Range.
Nelson Story settled in Bozeman in the mid-1800s. He drove 3,000 head of cattle from Texas to Bozeman against the wishes of the US Army which feared for his safety. Because the army did not want Nelson to continue, much of the drive was done in the night when Story was able to sneak the cattle through. These cattle formed the beginnings of Montana's strong cattle industry. He was a strong supporter of the beginnings of Montana State College (now Montana State University), and the historical Ellen Theater in downtown Bozeman.
Northern Pacific Railroad
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In 1883 the Northern Pacific Railway finished its pathway to Bozeman through what is now known as the Bozeman Pass. This route paralleled the Bozeman Trail which is now Interstate 90. The town grew slowly, reaching a population of barely 3,500 by 1900.
- content from Bozeman Chamber of Commerce
48FOther pages you might find helpful:
Deadwood South Dakota
Traveling to Montana on I-90? Be sure to visit historic Deadwood, South Dakota!
Gallatin County History
Gallatin County provides an indepth historical timeline for the area.
