Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Founded along the Yellowstone River in 1882 and named for the pioneer director of the
Northern Pacific Railway, Johnston Livingston, the city of Livingston grew up around min-
ing, the railroad, and agriculture. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, founded in
1872, insured a constant stream of visitors and established Livingston's ongoing reputation
as a visitor-friendly town.
In the 18th century, Red Lodge was inhabited by the Crow Indians, who had steadily
been moving westward to outrun their Sioux enemies. It is believed the city's name derives
from the red clay used to paint the council tipi. Although it was part of the territory as-
signed to the Crow Nation by the 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty, the U.S. government reneged
on its agreement and opened it to settlers and prospectors when coal was discovered in the
region. The discovery of this precious resource, attributed to James “Yankee Jim” George,
would change the fabric of this town and put it on the map. The town of Red Lodge was of-
ficially established in 1884, and by 1887 the Rocky Fork Coal Company opened the area's
first mine. By 1889 the Northern Pacific Railway had extended its line to Red Lodge, al-
lowing it to become a major shipping and trade center. During this time a large influx of
European immigrants came to work in the mines, and little ethnic neighborhoods sprouted
up throughout the town.
In its heyday, Red Lodge was a high-spirited frontier town with miners, ranchers, cow-
boys, and Indians creating a rather rowdy and at times lawless atmosphere. Both Buffalo
Bill Cody and Calamity Jane were known to frequent the town. By the early 20th century,
as other mines and sources of energy were being developed, Red Lodge's prominence as a
mining town began to fade. When the West Side mine closed during the Great Depression,
further economic hardship hit the town. The end of coal mining in the area was marked by
the methane explosion in Smith Mine, near Bearcreek, in 1943. This was Montana's worst
mining accident, killing 74 miners.
When construction began on the Beartooth Highway in 1931, linking Red Lodge to Yel-
lowstone Park, life came back to the city. The highway was officially opened in 1936 and
has ensured that the town remains a vibrant destination.
As is true across Montana and Wyoming in general, this region is vast and can require signi-
ficant driving to get from one destination to the next. With its fairly central location, ease of
air or highway access, and abundance of accommodations,
Bozeman
is a superb launching
point for the region. You could easily spend three days here, checking out the arts scene and
