Posted in Montana April 07, 2017 by

9 Rare Photos From Montana That Will Take You Straight To The Past

If you’re not a first generation Montanan, you’re well aware of how much the Treasure State has changed over time. Even the Last Best Place isn’t immune to shops and restaurants closing, houses being replaced with modern apartment buildings, and new people and businesses coming to town. These photos will remind your of the Montana your parents, grandparents or great grandparents once knew.

1. These are the Buckley Sisters, Mabel, May and Myrtle, in their hometown of Terry in 1914.
Noé Alfaro / Flickr
These ladies were locally famous because their father turned the family ranch over to them since he never had sons. The ladies ran the ranch in skirts, turning down invitations from Wild West shows because they were dedicated to their jobs.
2. Here's Deer Lodge's Main Street in the 1950s.
simpleinsomnia / Flickr
Back then, the Old Montana Prison Museum was just the Montana State Prison.
3. Any guesses on the year of this vintage postcard of Missoula?
Dave / Flickr
4. Wow! This is a rare shot of Main Street in Bozeman in the late 1930s.
simpleinsomnia / Flickr
Hotel Baxter is one of the only buildings we recognize.
5. Here's Main Street in Lewistown, year unknown.
simpleinsomnia / Flickr
6. West Yellowstone has always been a charming place, but just look at it in the 1950s.
Roadsidepictures / Flickr
7. Townsend really hasn't changed much since the early 1960s.
Ethan / Flickr
The cars, however, have.
8. This is Wisdom (obviously) in 1939.
Library of Congress
Is Baker's Garage still open?
9. We love this photo of Philipsburg in 1942.
Library of Congress
This beautiful town hasn't changed much at all, but the black and white gives it a vintage look.

If you love looking at old photos of Montana, check out these images from World War II.