The first white man to explore this district was Hugh Monroe, called “Rising Wolf” by the Blackfeet Indians. The Judith Basin was favorite hunting ground for this Nation, and Monroe, as an adopted member of the Piegan Tribe, often came here with them during the first half of the last century.

Reed’s Fort, a typical Indian trading post, was located near here. Operated by Major Reed and Jim Bowles, the latter a friend of Jim Bridger, the post was going strong during the 1870s.

In the early 1880s cattlemen and prospectors moved in. Rich mines were opened in the Judith Mountains and range stock replaced the vanishing buffalo. This country is rich in frontier history and tales of the pioneers.

Comments (0)