Miles City KOA Journey Attractions

Range Rider Museum

At the museum you will find true local history, everything from a collection of over 400 guns to replica of Fort Keogh. It includes nine different buildings housing thousands of articles, as well as a Charles M. Russell Gallery.

406-232-6146

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Explore Historic Downtown Miles City

Take a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Miles City.  Visit the Montana Bar, which is the second oldest bar in Montana (612 Main Street - 1908), the Olive Hotel, where "Gus" died in Lonesome Dove (501 Main Street -1899), our City Hall and Fire Station (19 S 8th Street - 1914), Commercial Block (511 Main Street - 1885), First Presbyterian Church (1401 Main Street - 1914) and Dr. Redd's Brick Building (502 Main Street - 1883).

Water Works Art Museum

Home to a collection of contemporary works in a variety of mediums that are displayed in the gallery year-round. This museum is free to the public. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9-5.

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Tongue River WInery

The Tongue River Winery and the Thaden Family are committed to making wine out of local and regionally grown fruits.

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Recreation

There are many outdoor recreational activities available in the Miles City area and in the vicinity of the park.  These include fishing, bird watching, rock collecting including agates, golfing, and hiking.  Fishing in the Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers is excellent for catfish, perch, and crappie, as well as other warm-water species, and are within walking distance of the park.  Spotted Eagle Lake, approximately 1 mile from the park, is stocked with fish and is particularly inviting for children.  Picnicking, walking trails, and just relaxing are also ideal activities here!

Olive Hotel

501 Main is the Olive Hotel (Lonesome Dove had a scene filmed here as well) opened as the Hotel Leighton in 1898.  When Maud and Albert Kennie bought the Hotel in 1908, they renamed it the Oliver for their daughter.  Alterations at that time added a new front that nearly doubled the size of the structure (the differences in brick are visible today). The exterior of the building remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with most of the details intact from 1898 and 1908.  The Main Street entry door, with its beautiful leaded glass and the stained glass in the arched transoms of the lobby windows, are a reminder of the Oliver's elegant past.

406-640-4601

Elegant Brick 1886 Home

An elegant brick residence, is attributed to architect, Bryon Vreeland, because fo the Gothic, Queen Anne, and Romanesque elements, found din Vreeland's other designs.  It was built in 1886 for Miles City's first Mayor, E.L. ("skew") Johnson.  The second owner, William Harmon, bought the house in 1891 and built the carriage house that year.  State Senetor, Kenneth McLean, was the third owner.  He added the eight foot wide porch to the front of the house in 1907.  Changes since then have been minimal.  The house was divided into apartments for a time, but the home and carriage house are currently single family residences.

The "Horton House"

An American Foursquare in Renaissance Revival Style, was constructed in 1911 for Harry J Horton, originally from England.  The residence easily conveys associations with a booming Miles City, especially the affluent East Main residential neighborhood.  Records show Horton was running a butcher shop in 1907, but later moved his business and expanded it to "Sanitary Meat Market and Sausage Factory" in 1912.  By 1928 Horton had become a traveling salesman, and then switched careers again in 1931, to Insurance.  Today teh "Horton House" is a Bed and Breakfast.

Colonial Revival/Shingle style house

This was the home of S. Fred Cale.  Cale came to Miles City by steamboat in 1880 and lived in this house from about 1900 until his death in 1927.  He exemplifies the type of businessmen who "made good" in early Miles City and chose to join this neighborhood of prosperous pioneers. Queen Anne detailing on the house - fish scale shingles mixed with coursed shingle cladding - add visual interest.  The home has received almost no alterations over the years

Classic American "four square" home

This home was originally built for Dr. Louis C. Bruning, but he passed away shortly after, in 1909.  At that time Percy Williamson bought the property for $11,000.00.  His daughter Mary Cato Williamson Swayne was born in the house in 1910, and remained in it until her death in late 1990's.  It has belonged to only 3 families since its 1907 construction.  The residence is an American Four Square style, which was popular in teh early 20th century, and remains in superb condition today.

Four Square design with Craftsman detailing

A Brynjulf Rivenes American Foursquare design, was built in 1915 for James H. Hunter.  With influences of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie-style architecture, as well as Craftsman detailing, Rivenes' plan called for a two story house with 13 rooms, which would cost about $20,000.00, include a central vacuum system, a stained glass for the first floor closet.  A sign of the affluence of the times, the Hunters employed a seamstress with her own sewing room to make all of the nine children's school clothing.  A successful rancher and businessman, Hunter was a prominent figure in Miles City and Montana affairs from his arrival in the 1880's.  His achievements, first in horse ranching, and later in banking and civic affairs, involved him in almost every aspect of Miles City life, and represent the growth of Miles City from a ranching center to the multiple-economy, political and cultural focus of eastern Montana.

First Christian Church

Built in 1928 and designed by Architect Brynjulf Rivenes.  With the arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St Paul Railroads in 1908, a period of growth was spurred unlike any other, bringing religious beliefs not previously practiced in large numbers.  It was erected directly on an old branch of the Tongue River slough, which had been leveled with landfill, and was flooded while still under construction, completely destroying the basement of the church.  Damage included hardwood basement floors warped and raised to near ceiling height, and displacement of the church organ to the corner of the room.

Scandinavian Lutheran Church

Designed by Brynjulf Rivenes and constructed in 1912-1913 for the Scandinavian Lutheran Church, the building is in near original condition.  Church member, Chris Arneberg, constructed the church using concrete blocks manufactured at his business on 9th and Bridge Streets.  The church provided a permanent spiritual meeting place and focus for social gatherings for the Scandinavian homesteaders, workers, and businessmen who flocked to Miles City in the early 1900's.  Architecturally, the Scandinavian church combines the optimism of that time, while concurrently providing visual stability and connections to the "Old World".  The parsonage, next door at 1805 Main, was completed in 1922.

519 Main Street

A two-story Beaux Arts reinforced concrete building sheathed in Indiana buff limestone, was built for the First National Bank in 1910.  The oldest bank in Montana east of Butte, it is credited with establishing Miles City as one of the three major financial areas in state - behind Butte and Helena.  C.S. Haire designed the new bank and the limestone facade was cut and fitted at the Indiana quarries, then wrapped and boxed separately for shipment.  The building retains a very high degree of integrity.  Some detail in the limestone front has been lost due to sandblasting.  The major external alteration is the fire escape and the window infill on the first floor.  The structure still conveys associations with a booming Miles City in the early 20th Century.

Montana Bar

With a Montana map for a sign, where a check marks the location of Miles City.  The Montana Bar in Miles City was the place for early day stockmen to gather.  Originally built as a one story brick in 1893, the building was enlarged over the years and received a new facade about 1914.  The interior and exterior have changed little, and the Montana Bar is known as one of the most authentic western bars in the state.  The interior features a bullet hole in one leaded glass panel, a multi-colored mosaic tile floor, antique back bar, and pressed tin ceiling, and wildlife mounts.  Originally patrons "stood up and drank like a man" 
It is a must see when in Miles City!

406-234-5809

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Stick Style Architectural Home

This home is an excellent example of wooden "stick style" architecture popular in the 1880's.  This is an extremely rare style for eastern Montana and this 1903 home is thought to be the only house of its type still surviving in Miles City.  Although built for Theordore H. Bowden, the residence is most associated with Ben Levalley, who purchased the house in 1904 and lived there until 1913.  Ben owned the Levalley Stables and also worked as a building constructor and Country Sheriff.

Episcopal Church

Built in 1886, is the oldest church in Miles City still being used as a church.  The Byron Vreeland design combines Gothic, Romanesque and Queen Anne style.  Built of local soft red brick, the only noticeable change in the exterior is the removal of a bell shaped bell tower.  The interior is unaltered and features a vaulted ceiling structure trimmed with California Redwood.  The altar is rumored to have been from wood salvaged from a steamboat wrecked in the Yellowstone River.

Neo-Classical style home

This home is the only example of Neo-Classical style in this neighborhood.  Designed in 1902 by C.S. Haire, it was the home of Miles City pioneer George Ulmer and his family.  The elegant home had a ballroom on the third floor and an impressive carriage house on the alley.  Ulmer became a partner in Miles and Strevell Hardware in 1886.  The firm began in 1876, receiving its first shipments of goods by steamboat.

The "Love" House

Built for Ed Love in 1916, sold in 1925 to August and Philomena Mund, owners of Mund's Shoe Store, although it is still referred to as the "Love" House.  The Munds lived in this house until at least 1931.  Both August and Philomena were also active in civic affairs, he as the secretary of the annual Fourth of July Roundup from its inception in 1913, and she as a Trustee of the Carnegie Library.  The distinctive Prairie styling of this house is the work of out-of-state architect, George Wageley of St. Louis.  Wageley's asymmetrical Prairie style plan for this residence is unique to Miles City, one of only two designs that show a definite Frank Lloyd Wright influence.  The house has exceptionally good integrity and has been preserved, inside and out, in near original condition.

Masonic Temple

Designed by architect Brynjulf Rivenes, and erected in 1912.  The Masonic Order, one of the earliest organizations in Miles City, held its first meeting in 1880.  Many leading businessmen were members, and the building reflects the prosperity of its times.  Described in 1912 as "one of the finest Masonic Temples in the state", this building has changed little since its creation.  The main floor is used for commercial purposes and the Masons meet upstairs.  H.C. Plimpton originally operated his funeral parlor in the basement, while his wife ran a millinery shop and picture framing business on the first floor

Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Building

Was built in 1914 and designed by an unnamed architect working for Mountain State Telephone and constructed by C.E. Walker Co of Denver, this major commercial landmark survives in near pristine condition as one of the most "high style" buildings on Main Street.  The canopy above the entry features a small bell motif that is also repeated above the canopy in a buff colored bas relief terra cotta panel.  Although the words "Telephone Exchange" have been removed from the facade, the orinal function of the bulding is readily recalled by the decorative detailing.

Theatre for the Barn Players Home

Built in 1908 for Jules Arnold, is most commonly associated with the Charles J. Wagenbreth family, who purchased the house in 1911.  Wagenbreth was the proprietor of the Montana Meat Market and the home remained in the family until 1945.  The two story carriage house was also built in 1911 and in the 1950's served as a theater for the Barn Players, a community theater group, which still exists today.  The carefully restored house is a good example of 1908 electronic architecture, combining Colonial Revival features of roof form, symmetrical window placement and porch detailing with neoclassic details in the soffit treatment and window shapes.