Deer Lodge, Montana is one of the longest inhabited areas in Montana. Its location at the base of two mountain ranges and surrounded by fertile grassland made it an ideal place for native peoples and settlers to find shelter from winter weather and a space filled with game animals used for food.
Though the area had seen travelers pass-through for hundreds of years prior, the first recorded settlement of European-Americans in the area comes in 1860. The area is named for the natural salt deposits in the valley that attract deer and other wildlife.
The town of Deer Lodge wasn’t incorporated until 1888, however, the area was already a bustling community of miners, farmers and ranchers, and fur traders.
Today, you can find the remnants of the mining history that spread from here to Anaconda and Butte, where copper mining was the base of the economy. In Deer Lodge, farming and ranching, along with the Montana State Prison are the base of the town’s economy.
Besides being a bustling agricultural community, the town has plenty of things for tourists to see and experience.
From a large number of museums dedicated to the area’s history and artists, to recreational activities and live performing arts, Deer Lodge is a great place to visit, and shouldn’t be missed on your next trip to Montana.
We will take a closer look at Deer Lodge, Montana so you can best plan out your next visit!
Your Guide To Deer Lodge, Montana
Main Attractions
Deer Lodge isn’t a large community, but with its rich mining history and its location tucked at the base of the Anaconda Range, there are plenty of things to see and do. When you visit Deer Lodge there are, however, a few must-see attractions.
Old Prison Museum
The Old Montana State Prison was the primary prison for the state. This prison was in operation for over 100 years, starting in 1871.
The entire complex is around 9 acres in size and features a number of different buildings and building styles. The Prison Museum documents the history of the prison and some of its more notorious inmates.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
First established in 1862 by Johnny Grant, though eventually becoming the home of Conrad Kohrs, the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site gives visitors insight into the ranching and farming history of the area.
Conrad Kohrs, one-half of the area’s namesake, was known as one of the “Cattle Kings” of Montana. At one point this ranch covered more than 10 million acres of land.
The historic site today offers guided tours of the site, as well as self-guided tours. On-site you’ll see the main ranch house with its original furnishings, the bunkhouse, horse barns, blacksmith shop, cattle sheds, and other ranch buildings, many