National Register of Historic Places

Watkins Creek Ranch

West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Montana
Listed
December 27, 2006
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
06001180

About this property

Firehole Ranch is a private 640-acre guest ranch located on Hebgen Lake in Gallatin County, Montana. Owned and operated by Lynda Caine since 1999, Firehole Ranch was founded in the late 1890s as Watkins Creek Ranch by George S. Watkins. Originally much larger, Watkins Creek Ranch sold much of its land to the Madison Power and Light Company in 1904 to make way for the Hebgen Lake Dam. Much of Watkins’ cattle were sold to Yellowstone National Park while the remaining land was converted into a dude ranch. Firehole Ranch was entered into the National Register of Historic Places under the name Watkins Creek Ranch on December 27, 2006.

Location

1207 Firehole Ranch Rd.
West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Montana
44.81058, -111.29210

Categories

AGRICULTUREEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONARCHITECTURE
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
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
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
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Lonesomehurst Cabin
Industrial
5.5 mi
West Yellowstone Oregon Shortline Terminus Historic District
Listed
14 mi
Kennedy Building
Industrial
14.1 mi
Madison Hotel and Cafe
Industrial
14.1 mi
Eagle's Store
Industrial
14.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Watkins Creek Ranch listed on the National Register?

Watkins Creek Ranch was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 2006.

What type of historic resource is Watkins Creek Ranch?

Watkins Creek Ranch is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Watkins Creek Ranch?

The period of significance for Watkins Creek Ranch is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Watkins Creek Ranch?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Watkins Creek Ranch will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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