Melstone Montana is a rural town in Musselshell County. With a population of 126, it’s quite a small town with fewer activities than bigger cities to do. Historically a railroad town, it was established in 1908 and was used as a base for operating crews on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad.
The town was named for Melvin Stone, an Associated Press reporter who was traveling with the Milwaukee railroad’s president. They were naming towns along the line well traveling. The railroad was later abandoned in 1980, causing the town to shrink a bit. However, there is still a small community in Melstone.
Melstone today is mostly a rural area and most people who live in the town are farmers or ranchers. The town has a small K-12 school called Melstone Public School that still survives and has a staff of 17 people. Melstone Public School is notable for winning the 2006 State Boys Basketball Championship because they were the smallest school to ever win.
Guide to Melstone, Montana
Aside from the school, there are not a lot of notable places in Melstone itself. Most people looking to enjoy what Melstone has to offer should consider looking outdoors, as there are plenty of fun outdoor recreational activities nearby.
Cultural and Historic Points in Melstone, Montana
There are not many cultural and historic points in Melstone itself, because it is quite a small town. However, the town is near Pompey’s Pillar National Monument. This historic point has a sandstone butte that is about 2 acres and 120 feet high.
It is most well known for being the place where William Clark left an inscription behind well on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The inscription of William Clark’s name was left on July 25, 1806, and is still visible today.
Although many visitors come just to see William Clark’s name, the rock is also famous for having markings, petroglyphs, and other inscriptions left by different visitors long ago.
There are hundreds of markings on the rock as the rock has been used as an observation point for over 10,000 years. Visiting Pompey’s Pillar costs about $7 and is well worth the visit to see various markings of history.
Nearby Pompey’s Pillar is also a riverwalk and interpretive center with a gift shop where visitors can buy souvenirs to take home after their visit. The center also offers information about the flora, the indigenous cultures that visited the rock, and the story of the Corps of Discovery expedition.
Recreational Activities and Things to Do
Melstone as a town is very small and does not have many businesses. Therefore, there are fewer things to do directly in town, unfortunately.
However, there are many towns and landmarks nearby, so visitors can still enjoy various activities such as shopping.
Bull Mountain Trading Speciality & Gift Shops
Nearby Melstone you can visit Roundup, Montana which has Bull Mountain Trading. Speciality & Gift Shops. This store has various gifts for sales and also sells local huckleberry products. The store also has a small old west museum visitors can explore.
The shop is a good place to visit for those looking to get souvenirs to take home or those who just want to go on a fun excursion while exploring the businesses near Melstone.
Huntley Project Museum
The Huntley Project Museum is a fun place to visit and explore, as it tells the history of the Huntley Irrigation Project. The museum has 18 homestead buildings, thousands of artifacts, and farm implements.
The buildings have various exhibits on display, including sugar beet equipment and horse-drawn machinery.
The museum also has two schoolhouses on display and a doctor’s office, offering visitors the chance to be transported back in time by visiting these creative exhibits.
Admission to visit the museum is free, making it a great place that anyone can visit. It’s a great place for families and those interested in history to explore well visiting Montana.
Accommodations
There are no accommodations directly in Melstone however visitors can find places to stay in the nearby town Roundup. See the options below:
For those looking for more options, it may be a good idea to consider looking at Billings which offers much more choices.
Special Events
There are no special events in Melstone, Montana however visitors may consider looking into Roundup Montana nearby which hosts a multi-day Fourth of July celebration.
The event is called R.I.D.E. and stands for Roadplace Independence Days Extravaganza.
The event has live music, parades, fireworks, kid’s activities, and more. It is one of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in the state. There is even a carnival at the celebration.
For more information, you can visit their website here.
Activities Near Melstone, Montana
Forests/Wilderness Areas
- Pompey’s Pillar
Museums
- Huntley Project Museum
Cities/Towns
- Roundup
- Musselshell
- Ingomar
- Mosby
- Sumatra