Dude Rancher Lodge
National Register of Historic Places

Dude Rancher Lodge

Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana
Listed
July 21, 2010
Type
Building
Period
Civil War
Ref No.
10000489

About this property

The Dude Rancher Lodge is a motel in Billings, Montana, on the National Register of Historic Places. Known as "Billings' most unique motel", it was built in 1950 with a Hollywood-western style theme inside and out with many custom features, most original to the building. Owned for over 40 years by the family corporation of its original owners, with a single change of ownership in 1992, the motel and its attached restaurant is still in operation today and looks much as it did when originally constructed. In the 21st century, the locally owned establishment has survived as one of only 10 owner-operated motels left in Billings, against increased competition from a significant expansion in the number of motel rooms available in the city. After having the motel studied and upgraded by Hotel Impossible in 2012, followed shortly thereafter by the local police engaging in a "full-on firefight" with a local criminal, the motel saw its online bookings increase 250 percent. Reports that the facility is haunted by its original owner have led to three popular rooms being booked up to a year in advance.

Location

415 N 29th St
Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana
45.78453, -108.50939

Categories

COMMERCEARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
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Nearby Historic Sites

Masonic Temple
Industrial
0.1 mi
Electric Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
Billings Chamber of Commerce Building
Civil War
0.2 mi
North, Austin, House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Babcock Theatre Building
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Nez Perce War – Crow Refusal to Fight
1877Indian Wars
1.2 mi
Battle of Pryor Creek
1874Indian Wars
1.6 mi
Nez Perce War – Canyon Creek Rearguard
1877Indian Wars
5.4 mi
Pryor Creek Engagement
1865Indian Wars
9.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Dude Rancher Lodge listed on the National Register?

Dude Rancher Lodge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2010.

What type of historic resource is Dude Rancher Lodge?

Dude Rancher Lodge is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Dude Rancher Lodge?

The period of significance for Dude Rancher Lodge is recorded as the civil_war era.

Can I research the history near Dude Rancher Lodge?

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