Stillwater County, Montana 1921
Among the political divisions of the
State of Montana, Stillwater County occupies a south central
position. It was created March 24, 1913, and in 1920 had a
population of 7,630. Its maximum length north and south is
sixty-six miles, being almost double its maximum width of
thirty-six miles. It contains much picturesque scenery and is a
county of varied natural resources, which are but partially
developed. From east to west the county is traversed by the
Yellowstone River, the valley of which is characterized by a
good soil of chocolate brown loam. The Stillwater and West
Rosebud rivers are found in the southern portion of the county,
and also Fishtail Creek. In the northern part, where there are
several small streams, lies what is known as the Lake Basin
country, regarded as one of the best non-irrigated farming
districts in Montana. The southern part of Stillwater County is
a region of high mountains, sometimes of magnificent aspect,
which taper off into rolling hills near the Yellowstone Valley.
The southern valleys are also favored with a good soil, the
fertility of which is increased by irrigation, while the bench
lands are devoted to non-irrigated farming and stock raising.
Agriculture, stock raising and
dairying are at present the chief industries of the county. The
usual farm crops are wheat, oats, barley, corn, peas, alfalfa,
potatoes, melons and garden truck. Some fruit is also raised,
strawberries doing particularly well. Large quantities of honey
are also produced, in which respect Stillwater takes a leading
place among the counties of the state. In the southern part of
the county there are 92,096 acres of timber included in the
Beartooth National Forest. Improved irrigated lands sell from
$75 to $200 an acre, improved non-irrigated lands from $40 to
$100, and unimproved non-irrigated lands from $15 an acre up.
Coal and other minerals have been
found in the southern part of Stillwater County, but these
mineral resources and the water power have not yet been
developed on a commercial scale. North of the Yellowstone River
much land has been leased for oil, and drilling has been
undertaken. These several lines of industry, together with those
now carried on, are susceptible of future development and make
Stillwater County a region of favorable opportunity. The
mountains also may be made an attractive resort for tourists
when the locality is better known and after suitable
accommodations have been provided. The scenery near the
headwaters of the Stillwater and Rosebud rivers is as fine as
can be found on the continent, and the streams in that region
are noted for the fine trout fishing in spring and summer, while
birds and game abound in the fall. The lakes in the Lake Basin
region offer splendid opportunities for waterfowl shooting.
The railroad facilities of Stillwater
County are furnished by the Northern Pacific Railway, the main
line of which follows the Yellowstone River through the county.
The Lake Basin region in the northern part is traversed by a
branch of the same road from Mossmain. The Yellowstone Trail
highway also passes through the county, and various local roads,
kept in good condition, connect the smaller valleys with the
railroad.
The only incorporated town in
Stillwater County is Columbus, the county seat, which is also
the chief trading center. It is situated at the junction of the
Yellowstone and Stillwater rivers, and has an altitude of 3,698
feet. In 1820 its population was 897. It has a high school
accredited for the four-year term. On the main line of the
Northern Pacific are Park City and Reed Point, both good trading
centers. The towns along the Lake Basin branch are Molt, Rapelje
and Wheat Basin. In the southern part of the county the most
important community is Absarokee, an inland town in the
Stillwater basin. There are high schools at Park City and Reed
Point, the former accredited for three years and the latter for
two years. The county is well provided with rural schools. At
East Rosebud Lake, in the heart of the mountains, there is a
private summer school for teachers. Credit for work done there
is given by the state department of education and also by the
University of Montana.
Montana Counties 1921
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Montana AHGP

Source: Montana its Story and Biography,
by Tom Strout, Volume 1, The American Historical Society, 1921
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