The town was named after Col. Nelson A. Miles who eventually became the last General of the Army before the job became Army Chief of Staff. A post office had been established as early as 1877. Then in 1881 the Northern Pacific Railway came as far as Miles City. The town was now accessible by rail. This was truly cattle country; even though, sheep had been introduced to the area in 1876. Lore has it that Miles City, in the late 1800's, was the most active cattle town west of Abilene, Kansas.
You can spend most of a day at, and around, Miles City. Some of the attractions are the Range Riders Museum, Custer County Art Center and Its Historic District, and... Miles City has a very famous unusual event the "World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale." Ask about it when you arrive in town... The Range Rider Museum contains exhibits unique to eastern Montana including Sioux, Cheyenne and Crow Indian artifacts, a Charles Russell Gallery, a frontier town, and the Bert Clark Gun Collection featuring over 400 firearms. The museum is open April to October and by special appointment the remainder of the year.
Camping, food and lodging facilities are available.
Sept 13, 2005
personal photo
a personal sketch
Some of Mile City events:
Eastern Montana Fair & Rodeo: Third or Fourth Week of August
See Disclaimer @ Eastern Montana .. a perspective of a former resident and frequent visitor