YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, MONTANA

Out in the Boonies

Trek #17 – Travel Through Golden Valley Former Towns

Pompeys Pillar

Dave Dodge & Cleve Kimmel April 9, 2009

A four-wheeler is required; unless you are positive there will no wet roads? We started from Billings on HWY 3 North, stopping at Helm Cemetery south of  Comanche, then traveled through portions of the area to visit towns and post office former locations.  Click on pictures to enlarge. There are several alternate routes than can be taken to visit the towns, and a current-local area map will be needed; unless you know the terrain. Historical details on these towns are being collected, and several books about the county details are available.

Stop #1

Comanche/Helm

Cemetery

This cemetery was incorporated January 7, 1925 and papers were filed with the Secretary of State on January 12, 1925. An association was created October 18, 1924 for the purpose of establishing that cemetery along with procurement of the land. Church committee members were: O. Armstrong was chairman, Mrs Rose Ballard, secretary.  It is located in R24E T4N S29E1/2NW (206’ Wide x 715’ long). The First Methodist Episcopal Church located ½ mile north was deeded November 15, 1916. The land for the church was deeded March 27, 1911 and filed April 3, 1911 in Book 39. It’s proper name is “Helm Cemetery”, although most refer to it as Comanche Cemetery. Cemetery records are available from the YGF. Turn south on Popelka Ave (dirt road); the cemetery is located on a slight hill to the east.

Stop #2

Painted Robe

Abandoned

RR Station

This station was located in Sec 24, T5N, R22E at 46.1680107, -108.9190446. It is no longer visible.

Stop #3

Belmont PO

The PO opened March 20, 1909 in Golden V alley County, and closed on July 30, 1965. Located approximately at 46.2313455 deg N and -108.9887716 deg west. The PO no longer exists. To reach the site; turn left off Hwy 3 (south) onto Granary Road (gravel). Turn right at Custer Gulch and go past Cushman Rd (on the left) and then take a right onto Belmont Rd. This takes you into the old town site of Belmont located adjacent to the RR Track (abandoned). There is still evidence of the site: destroyed basement buildings and “stairs to nowhere”; the old school.

The Belmont Cemetery is located at: 46.1324N 108.5844W.

Stop #4

Cushman

Turn right on Cushman Road and return to Helm Cemetery.  Just past Legard Rd is Cushman & its former School. It is located at: 46.28829N 109.04266W.  The PO opened March 9, 1909 and closed November 7, 1975. Nothing exists but the town’s reference sign.

Stop #5

Olden

Continue north to top of the hillside – this is Olden. Turn around and return to Buffalo Trail. The PO opened on May 12, 1880 and closed November 14, 1884. The town/PO was located at: 46.29162N & 109.040163W. The location is still noted by the RR.

Pictured here is the new RR Track leading to the Bull Mountains.

Stop #6

Fratt

This small Railroad Station operated for a short while. Dates are not noted. Located at 46.29162N & 109.05072W. It is located about ½-mile NW of Cushman on the West Cushman Road. The map shows Fratt, Olden and Cushman relative locations.

Stop #7

Ryegate

Take Buffalo Trail Road out of Cushman and onto HWY 12, go west to Ryegate This courthouse stores pictures of the local schools used in this review. They also have books & maps on Golden Valley. The PO opened June 29, 1908.

Stop #8

Dodgeton

The PO opened June 6, 1883 and closed March 24, 1884. There is no discernable visual evidence that this short-lived place existed.

Dodgeton was located near Mile Marker 124 (1/2-mile east of Barber.

Stop #9

Barber Cemetery

Continue west to the intersection with Barber Rd (south) and Wallum Rd north. Go north on Wallum Road towards the cemetery. It is pictured here as a “+” above the word ‘GRAVE’

There is no public access from Wallum Road or Hwy 12, to the cemetery location.

Stop #10

Barber

Turn-around and head south on South Barber Road (off Hwy 12) as noted on the map above. There are several old buildings still standing, including the former local bank vault structure. The PO opened on April 1, 1910 and closed July 31, 1958.

Stop #11

O’Brien

The PO opened June 3, 1912 and closed August 31, 1916. Travel south on South Barber Road to the County Line (Wheatland-Golden-Valley), continue south to intersection with Haase Road, following south on South Barber Road to location noted on map.

Stop #12

Progress

All dirt roads to location. Town sat in a currently open-empty field. No visual evidence of a town. From O’Brien, go south on South Barber Road, following it S & W to Shamut Rd. Go north about 6-miles, passing through Berg, and there you are – Progress. It is just north of Sargeant Ranches. It was apparently dead-center in the roadway. The PO operating dates are not listed.

Stop #13

Burgoyne Siding

The PO opened August 1, 1911 and closed July 31, 1913. This is the return leg of the trip. Go north to Hwy 12, then east back towards Billings. After passing through Ryegate, Burgoyne will be the final stop on this trek. This location is also very shy of visitors; hence – no pictures.

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