As the sole community in Montana’s Petroleum County of less than 600 hundred people, Winnett is the perfect location for exploring the state’s beautiful countryside far away from heavy human interactions.
Winnett is named after the community’s historical founder, Walter John Winnett. Running away from his home in Canada, Winnett came to Montana as a young boy seeking adventure in “Indian Country.”
Winnett quickly became a notable figure in the region for his incredible marksmanship abilities that helped him get jobs in the region. Eventually, he was captured by Sioux Indians and adopted into the tribe.
During his time with the Sioux, Winnett was renamed Eagle Eyes to recognize his excellent shooting skills.
Living among the tribe until 1879, Winnett later left and established his own ranch in Montana Territory. Situated near an active trading post and the Hangman’s Tree, the farm was again upgraded in 1900 with the construction of a massive ranch house.
Home to his family, the house also served as a public venue for dances, weddings, funerals, schools, and church services.
By 1910, the ranch had grown to include a general store and post office, establishing itself as an independent town in the region.
In the years that followed, Winnett, MT, continued to grow to include two filling stations, a school system from K-12, and a bar and grill.
While Winnett has always been a small town, it did experience a minor population rush during the 1940s and 50s when oil and gas reserves were discovered in the area.
However, even during these peak years, the town only had a maximum population of about 407 residents during the 1950 census.
Today, the town of Winnett has a modest population of 188 people, but still manages to find a sense of community and build towards the future, including the undertaking of building a multi-million dollar community and event center for events and more.
Still, the greatest draw to the small-town community is the access it provides to the breathtaking countryside and wildlife that thrives in Petroleum County, free from extensive human interference.