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Historical Society

<>This part of the HALO RANCH OUTFITTERS deals   with the HISTORY of Yellowstone Country & the Diamond P Ranch
Monida Yellowstone StagelineMonida & Yellowstone Stage Line
Formed in 1898, they provided stage service from  Monida, Montana to the park, using red Concord stages, and became known as the 'Red Line`.   The route started on the Idaho, Montana border at Monida, Montana then passed through Idaho's Centennial Valley, past Henry`s Lake, & over Targhee Pass. Relay stations were placed every 15-20 miles along route.  Some of the stage stops had sleeping facilities; one of the hotel stops included a two story hotel located on what is now the Diamond P Ranch.  Although unused, the old hotel is still standing & the upper level looks almost as it did when the stage line was abondoned in 1917! The lower level is now used for storage and the structure is locked, but horseback riding guests who arrive early at the Diamond P Ranch can still meander around it. ( A brochure from the year 1900 boasts of a 6-day tour using two, four, and six-horse Concord coaches) In 1907 the arrival of the Union Pacific rail line to the west entrance drastically reduced the use of the long stagecoach line from Monida. In 1917, touring cars brought the end of the stagecoaches.
  Lionhead Mountain on the Continental DivideThis area has a very interesting and quite well written history. Evidence indicates that the Eastern Shoshone (Snake) tribe spent most of their time near the headwaters of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, and other large bodies of water on the Idaho side of the Continental Divide.  The Diamond 'P' Ranch is located just two miles from the Continental Divide.  Early explorers, Lewis and Clark, explored the area; their base camp was located right at one of our trail heads! 

On the Montana side of the Continental Divide, the Niitsitapi Indians, more commonly  known as Blackfeet Indians, were most often found.  Written history of the Niitsitapi Indians is very incomplete, and their oral history and memories have not been listened to nor respected.  Since the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1806, they have struggled to maintain their way of life, to avoid losing their languages, cultures, and histories as they know it. The Blackfeet indians were feared by the other indian tribes throughout the country

The Shoshone and Bannock Indians spent the spring, summer, and fall hunting for big game, and being alert for marauding bands of Blackfoot Indians who would occasionally leave Montana to invade. Because of the severe winters the Idaho Indians would drop down into the Upper Snake River Valley during the winter time months.
 In 1871, Congress passed a law stating the U.S. will no longer negotiate with Indians as "nations". A few years later, in 1877, the Nez Perce fought a holding action on Targhee Creek very near the area that  the Halo Ranch Outfitters guides take their 1/2 day rides. A Bannock chieftain allied with Chief Joseph was killed. note: The Nez Perce indians were not native to this area.
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The white man "officially " entered this area between 1807 and 1810. Reportedly the area was stripped of some 75,000 beaver pelts during the following years. Several  years later, the "old time" trappers, Jim Bridger, Beaver Dick Leigh, and Kit Carson, to name a few, suddenly became famous guides. Yellowstone Park, came into the public's eye, and the wealthy portion of the world started to visit this fanatstic area.  As the means of transportation improved, the "common folk" started visiting the park.


The Homestead Law,  had a drastic affect on this region during the last quarter of the 1800s and early 1900s.  Most of the area was mountainous, with lots of trees, but there were also grassy meadows with streams running through them.  These areas attracted the homesteaders!  Homesteaders by the names of Thurman, Bishop, Allen, Golden, and Gerber, became firmly implanted in the area. But many of the homesteaders didn't last! The harsh winters that this area is famous for, soon drove many of the homesteaders away.
    The Tom Angell family now own the Halo Ranch Outfitters. Tom's father's and Mother's parents  both homesteaded in this upper country area. homestead cabinThe old sod roofed cabin on the Angell homestead in Cliff Lake Montana, pictured below, is nearly 100 years old and it is still standing!

 J.J. Allen, Tom's Grandfather, homesteaded in the Island Park area known as Ice House Creek;  it's now part of the Sheridan Ranch.


The guides from the Halo Ranch Outfitters take pride in their extensive knowledge of the area's history.   As they conduct horseback rides in the mountains  these guides share this information with their guests.  Some of this information is recorded, and a lot of it (the most interesting) is obtained from the "old timers" in the area.

Creek Crossing

 



Please visit each of the links below for more information
on what the Halo Ranch Outfitters have to offer:



Rates
 Legendary Stories Guides are professional cowboys  Scout Groups
Educational Rides Ranch hands Wildlife seen on rides
Special rides  for guests with special needs- Guest's Testimonies
Links to adjoining businesses

For more historical information please visit the following sites:
http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/bearstor.htm