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Yellowstone County, Montana

84 topographic sheets cover 33 settlements here, and 48 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

48 National Register listings published here, 2 of them National Historic Landmarks.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Montana within the United States
Yellowstone County within Montana

What the record shows

  • 431 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 48 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 35 buildings, 8 districts, 3 sites and 2 structures.
  • 7 of the 48 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 33 populated places in this county; 33 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

48

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Acme Buildingbuilding200505001279
Antelope Stage Stationbuilding198383001078
Armour Cold Storagebuilding200404000670
Babcock Theatre Buildingbuilding201313000153
Billings Chamber of Commerce Buildingbuilding197272000739
Billings Communal Mausoleumbuilding2021100006704
Billings First Congregational Churchbuilding2025100012464
Billings Historic Districtdistrict197979001427
Billings Old Town Historic Districtdistrict201010000753
Billings Townsite Historic District (Boundary Increase)district200606000333
Billings West Side Schoolbuilding200202000214
Black Otter Traildistrict200706001224
Boothill Cemeterysite197979001428
Carpenter Paper Companybuilding2025100012486
Crystal Ice & Fuel Companybuilding2024100010218
Dude Rancher Lodgebuilding201010000489
Electric Buildingbuilding200202000105
Abraham and Carrie Erb Housebuilding200505000564
Fire House No. 2building198080002436
Fratt-Link Housebuilding2020100005777
Garfield Schoolbuilding201212000830
Arnold Graf Housebuilding201515000160
Huntley Bridgestructure201212000175
Huntley Project Officebuilding2017100001033
James F. Battin Federal Building (Courthouse & Federal Office Building)building2023100008535
Kate Fratt Memorial Parochial Schoolbuilding2020100005389
L and L Buildingbuilding200808001227
Laurel Downtown Historic Districtdistrict201010000768
Masonic Templebuilding198686000847
McKinley Elementary Schoolbuilding2021100006311
McMullen Hallbuilding201515000574
Montana National Bankbuilding2022100007494
Mossman Overpassstructure201212000174
North Elevation Historic Districtdistrict201616000807
Austin North Housebuilding197777000822
Northern Hotelbuilding201313000369
I. D. O'Donnell Housebuilding197777000823
Oliver Buildingbuilding200808001228
Parmly Billings Memorial Librarybuilding197272000740
Pictograph Cavesite196666000439
Pioneer Parkdistrict2021100006391
Pompey's Pillarsite196666000440
Prescott Commonsbuilding198282003182
Riverside Park, Laureldistrict2024100010974
Harold and Marion Ruth Housebuilding200707000578
US Post Office and Courthouse-Billingsbuilding198686000678
Christian Yegen Housebuilding197979003779
Peter Yegen Housebuilding198080002437

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

1,037 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 1,037 of them, burning about 272,938 acres. 196 started naturally and 17 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined554
Natural196
Equipment and vehicle use70
Debris and open burning52
Fireworks41
Recreation and ceremony32
Firearms and explosives use23
Power generation/transmission/distribution22
Arson/incendiarism17
Smoking12
Misuse of fire by a minor7
Other causes6
Railroad operations and maintenance5

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
22 August 2008Natural102,380 acresSouthern Land OfficeDUNN MOUNTAIN ASSIST
12 July 2006Natural91,897 acresBillings Field OfficeBUNDY RAILROAD
26 August 2000Debris and open burning5,000 acresCrow AgencyPEASE
18 August 1996Natural4,500 acresSouthern Land OfficeDOVER RANCH
20 August 1999Natural3,900 acresSouthern Land OfficePINE RIDGE
22 August 2006Misuse of fire by a minor3,863 acresSouthern Land OfficeEMERALD HILLS
2 August 1996Smoking2,948 acresCrow AgencyTOLLUCA
16 July 2002Power generation/transmission/distribution2,921 acresMiles City Field OfficeSTEAMBOAT

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1955 to 2025

60 of 946 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 946 reports for this county, causing 4 deaths, 8 injuries and about $54,474,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail506
Thunderstorm Wind356
Flash Flood24
Tornado21
Funnel Cloud15
Flood13
Heavy Rain5
Lightning4
Wildfire1
Dust Devil1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 1985Thunderstorm Windnot stated2 killedno account filed
May 2011FloodMossmain1 killed, $300,000Widespread rainfall of 2 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts fell across the Yellowstone County area during a two day period. Billings had its all-time daily rainfall record broke on May 24th with 3.12 inches. This was just a part of a record setting precipitation month for Billings which totaled 9.54 inches. This rainfall on top of an already wet month resulted in some streams and creeks over Southern Yellowstone County to overflow their banks. Flooding occurred on Blue Creek in the Briarwood area. Several homes and structures were surrounded by water on Aviemore Court where some voluntary evacuations occurred. In addition, the Briarwood Golf Course was inundated with water.||Pryor Creek was out of its banks resulting in water spilling over a dike in a low lying area of Huntley. Fly Creek near Pompey was out of its banks and flooded a roadway leading to town. Flooding occurred along most of Pryor Creek between the towns of Pryor and Huntley. In addition, county officials reported that Pryor Creek Road Bridge between Interstates 90 and 94 was washed out.||Blue Creek Subdivision at Jene Helene Avenue flooded many homes and the Briarwood Golf Club May 20th-22nd. This resulted in the Billings Fire Department issuing voluntary evacuation orders. In addition, flash flooding occurred in Billings on May 24th forcing many road closures downtown and causing large boulders to fall off the Rimrocks. Flooding from Pryor Creek inundated a Huntley neighborhood and destroyed Pryor Creek Road on May 22nd. ||The Yellowstone River at Billings went above flood stage on May 25th through May 26th. The river crested at 13.92 feet on May 26th. ||In addition, a man operating a backhoe trying to save his house, drowned near Pryor Creek. The roadway had washed out from underneath the backhoe.||Damage estimates based on FEMA reviews and Individual Assistance approvals.
July 2009LightningBillings Hgts1 killedA line of strong thunderstorms moved into the area west of Billings around 730pm MDT. A lightning strike occurred around 800pm MDT at Castlerock Park where the Celebrate Freedom community gathering was occuring. A visitor (26 year old male resident of Billings) at the celebration was struck in the forehead and died.
July 1958Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
August 2020Thunderstorm WindBillings2 hurtA microburst hit the Montana Fair at the Billings Fairgrounds. Three tents were blown over with two employees receiving minor injuries. In addition, numerous tree limbs were blown down along with some minor damage to vehicles.
October 1998LightningBillings1 hurt, $10,000Lightning nearly struck a man East of Billings and knocked out power for several minutes in Billings Heights and in the South side of Billings.
August 1958Tornadonot stated1 hurt, $2,500no account filed
July 2006LightningBillings1 hurtA complex of thunderstorms moved into the Billings area shortly after 7 PM MST on Sunday July 23rd.A Billings woman and her friend were out for a walk along Black Otter Trail on the Rimrocks as the storm moved into the area. The woman was struck by lightning and killed as they were seeking shelter.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindBillings Logan Arpt1 hurtA 60 mph wind gust was reported by the ASOS at Logan International Airport. The storm also knocked down several branches. One of which injured a 16 year old girl. Some power outages were reported in Billings as well.
June 2010Tornado (EF2)Billings$30,000,000Based on the observed damage, the tornado was classified as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Wind speeds within an EF-2 tornado range from 111-135 mph, and the associated damage observed at the Billings MetraPark and nearby businesses was consistent with this classification. The damage path was 120 yards wide with a length of about a half mile and on the ground an estimated 12 minutes.||The damage assessment and eyewitness accounts indicate that the tornado developed near the intersection of Lake Elmo Drive and Main Street in the Billings Heights at approximately 4:24 pm, with significant EF-2 damage to several nearby businesses. Damage included rooftops being blown off of three structures, windows blown out, power poles downed, business signs and billboards blown down along with several trees uprooted. The tornado appeared to weaken slightly as it progressed southeast across Alkali Creek. Limbs were broken off numerous trees in the vicinity of the creek. The tornadic circulation then appeared to have strengthened once again as it moved south over the Rimrock Auto Arena at Metrapark. EF-2 damage was again observed to the arena with much of the roof blown off along with other damage to the exterior of the building. Debris from the arena impacted other nearby businesses creating additional damage, mainly in the form of broken windows. Debris from the arena was reported landing as far away as a mile from the tornado touchdown. The tornado then dissipated over the arena around 4:36 pm.||The associated thunderstorm then moved northeast away from Billings. Numerous sightings of funnel clouds were reported as this storm moved east-northeast of Billings, however no additional tornado touchdowns were reported.
July 1998HailBillings$8,000,000Numerous observations of large hail were reported by spotters, amateur radio operators and National Weather Service personnel. The hail damaged several vehicles in the Billings area, and also caused heavy damage to crops.
July 1998HailBillings$4,000,000Several reports of hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter were reported in and around Billings from spotters, amateur radio operators and law enforcement. The hail severely damaged several cars and roofs. The hail also caused heavy damage to crops in the Billings area.
June 2010Flash Flood(Bil)Logan Arpt Bill$2,700,000Flood waters from a thunderstorm turned downtown streets into rivers, parking lots into lakes and basements into swamps. So much rain fell so fast on Billings that storm drains wide enough to hold a small car were filled for hours. Streets turned into rushing rivers, basements filled with muddy water and some residents went swimming with shovels and sticks to clear clogged storm drains. More than an inch of water seeped into the Billings Clinic hospital corridors and the basement near the buildings north entrances. Mud and water flooded the atrium area of Billings Clinic. In the hospital's north parking lot, storm water rose above the tires of passenger cars. Flooding was also reported in the underground parking garage of the hospital. Flash flooding was also reported on Alkali Creek as the creek flooded in several places. There were numerous calls of flooding in the basements of residential homes and businesses and water being over roads in some places. In addition, manhole covers were blown off by the pressure of water flooding the city's storm sewer system. The heavy rain caused a significant amount of water damage throughout the main part of the city.
August 2019Thunderstorm WindShepherd$2,500,000Significant damage was done to Shepherd schools. There was roof damage and extensive damage to the bus barn. In addition, all the west side windows were broken out from combined hail and wind.
July 1998HailHuntley$2,000,000Numerous reports of tennis ball sized hail causing numerous damages to vehicles and homes in and around Huntley.
June 2023Flash FloodBillings Logan Arpt$1,600,000Many roads on the west side of Billings were flooded and closed. Gable Road was particularly hit hard. Birely Drain and Big Ditch overflowed their banks washing out a portion of Gable Road. The cost to repair Gable Road will be about 600K. Total flood damage costs to the city will be around $1M.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindLaurel$500,000At Laurel hanger damaged at airport and trees down around town. At Billings Airport plane was turned over. Lots of roof and tree damage around town.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindBillings$50,000A roof was blown off a home in the Billings Heights area.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindBillings Arpt$50,000At Laurel hanger damaged at airport and trees down around town. At Billings Airport plane was turned over. Lots of roof and tree damage around town.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindBillings$50,000Several homes were damaged in South Billings.
July 1994HailBillings Heights$50,000Minor hail damage around town. Hail plugged storm sewers causing some local flooding.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindLaurel$50,000no account filed
June 1971Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1965Tornadonot stated$25,000no account filed
July 1955Tornadonot stated$25,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindWorden$5,000Wind gusts from a thunderstorm destroyed a 20 by 24 foot shed. The wind also twisted a round bale feeder and tore a chicken house door off.
July 1994HailHuntley$5,000Minor hail damage around town. Hail plugged storm sewers causing some local flooding.
July 1994Hailnot stated$5,000Minor hail damage around town. Hail plugged storm sewers causing some local flooding.
June 1994HailLaurel$5,000no account filed
August 1993HailPompeys Pillar$5,000no account filed
August 1993HailBallantine$5,000no account filed
March 2011Thunderstorm WindBillings Hgts$3,000A microburst resulted in damage to numerous vinyl fences, some roof shingles and house siding along El Rancho Drive in Billings Heights.
June 1991Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
July 1998Thunderstorm WindBillings$1,000An eight inch tree limb fell across the southbound lane on main street in Billings.
July 1994HailToledo$500Lightning struck a house and set it on fire in Billings Heights.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindLockwood-Mesonet weather station sdam8 Soda Springs.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-Hail report by local spotter.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-Hail report by local spotter.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-Corrects previous hail report from 8 ESE Molt. Came from facebook comment.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Also received 0.12 in rain.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-From facebook comment.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Corrects previous hail report from 4 W Billings. Some hail drifts were also reported.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Corrects previous hail report from 1 wnw of Billings.
August 2025HailShepherd-From facebook comment.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-From fcebook comment.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-Corrects previous hail report from location at 8 nnw Laurel.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Reported via phone call from the public.
August 2025HailLaurel Muni Arpt-Report given by local spotter.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Hail drifts also reported.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Reported via phone call from the public.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Report from mping.
August 2025HailBillings-Corrects previous hail report from 2 ene of Billings.
August 2025HailBillings Logan Arpt-Corrects previous hail report from 6 W Billings. From Facebook comment.
August 2025HailShepherd-Corrects previous hail report from Shepherd. From facebook comment.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindWorden-Tree limbs down and small objects thrown around.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindWorden-Fifty knt wind reported.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindLockwood-Time estimated from radar .
June 2025Thunderstorm WindLockwood-Mesonet station Soda Springs.
July 2025HailBroadview-Quarter size hail reported between 130 pm and 2pm.
July 2025FloodBillings Logan Arpt-Image shows Grand Ave. flooded. Public also stated they saw construction cones floating down the street. Localized flooding of low-lying areas.

Mines and quarries

26 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 26 workings inside this county. 11 still produce and 15 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction12
Clay8
Bentonite2
Stone, Dimension2
Pumice1
Limestone, Dimension1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Limestone OccurrenceLimestone, DimensionOccurrence
Unnamed PumicitePumiceProspect
Concrete Products Co.ShaleBentoniteProducer
Lockwood Flats PitStone, DimensionPast Producer
Mackey Bentonite DepositBentoniteOccurrence
Montana Shale PitStone, DimensionPast Producer
Bent Clay PitClayPast Producer
Buff Clay PitClayPast Producer
Lovell Clay PitClayProducer
Lovell Clay ProductsClayOccurrence
Lovell Clay ProductsClayProducer
PlainfeatherClayProducer
Tenny BentoniteClayOccurrence
Unnamed Bentonite LocationClayOccurrence
Base CrusherSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Billings Sand and GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Empire Sand and GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Gabel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Krug Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Lovell Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Meyer Construction Crusher #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Midland Materials Co. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Mossmain Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Plant Mix CrusherSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Unnamed Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Unnamed Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown

Every populated place in the county

33

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.