The Modern West – Old Town Sheridan

On closer analysis of Montana, you will notice intersection of two interstate highways within 30 miles, bringing people from all four of the cardinal directions. This brings a focal point to Butte, Dillon and Bozeman, MT, being the closest large cities to Sheridan. It is not only the most accessible area, but it is also one of the most beautiful. It is flanked to the north with Glacier National Park and to the southeast by the Yellowstone National Park. According to the National Park Service, these two national parks pull in 2 to 3.6 million people per year. (http://www.nps.gov/) The City of Sheridan, Montana, is next to the original state’s capital, Virginia City and traces its roots to 19th Century gold mining. It is a vibrant community, with a well-educated population that likes to work—and play—hard. However, the Ruby Valley was founded on ranching in order to raise meat for the adjacent mining towns.

The Ruby Valley provides many of the amenities of a much bigger city. It is located 8 miles from an airport for small planes and Lear Jets and is accessible to the Bozeman Airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is Montana’s busiest airport, providing the only year-round service for two Yellowstone National Park entrances. BZN also serves Big Sky Ski Resort, Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana State University, as well as countless other recreation and business destinations in the Bozeman, Belgrade and Livingston area. Located in the heart of beautiful Gallatin Valley, they have direct flights to major hubs like San Francisco, Austin, Boston and Fort Lauderdale.

Sheridan sits on the banks of the Ruby River, in the heart of the Ruby River Valley. Seven mountain ranges surround the Ruby River Valley: the Tobacco Root, the Highlands, the McCartney, the Pioneer, the Ruby, the Gravely, and the Snowcrest Mountains. As the heart of the Valley, Sheridan offers easy access to them all. Enjoy all of the hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, and backpacking that these majestic mountains have to offer while you stay in Sheridan. Although access to the Ruby River (especially around Sheridan) is limited, persevering anglers will be rewarded with prime fishing. From Sheridan, follow MT Highway 287 south to Alder, then take Upper Ruby Road to follow the entire length of the Ruby River, stopping to search for garnets at Ruby Reservoir and camping in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. In addition to the cornucopia of outdoor activities, Sheridan is only a few miles from the historic locations of Nevada City and Virginia City. These two semi-ghost towns, some of the first in the territory, started as gold camps along Alder Creek. Today, many of the historic buildings have been restored, making them one of the most impressive historic ghost towns in the state. No visit to Southwest Montana is complete without a tour of Virginia and Nevada City, and Sheridan is the perfect place to stay while visiting them.

Sheridan has kept its small-town charm and stayed true to its gold mining and ranching roots. Residents actively enjoy the many outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities—hiking, hunting, fishing, boating—that the area has to offer. Yellowstone Park and Big Sky Ski Resort is just minutes from Sheridan by helicopter, or a pleasant 2 hour trip by car.

Early History of the Ruby Valley

In 1850 Captain Richard Grant, his Indian wife and their two sons, Johnny and James Grant, were living at the junction of the “stinking water.” This is the Ruby River and the Beaverhead River, near present day Twin Bridges (8 miles from Sheridan). Captain Grant was a former agent for Hudson’s Bay Company and maintained a trading post for exchanging trade goods, trinkets and whiskey with the Indians. In turn they gave him horses, furs and skins.

Occasionally gold-seekers or trappers wandered through the area. Quite by chance, some trail-weary, worn-out oxen were unyoked and left to perish in the Beaverhead Valley. The Grant brothers found the oxen in the spring, fully recovered and fat. The oxen had wintered well on basin wildrye, rough fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, which grew abundantly in the mountain valleys of Montana.

By honoring this rich history and the Old Town Sheridan name, we will be a destination for those who dare to dream.

Local Economic Conditions

With one of the lowest unemployment figures in the nation, Bozeman companies are offering higher wages and incentives to attract employees. With the economic downturn in other parts of the country, this is attracting many newcomers to this area, directly impacting the housing and real estate market.

Commercial development in the Butte and Bozeman areas, these communities, especially the Bozeman community, are experiencing a boom with the country’s top retailers. According to a recent study by Policom, it reflects Bozeman Montana as the #1 economically strongest Micro-Politian city in the US for the past 4 years. www.bozeman.net

Montana is one of the fastest growing states in America over the last decade in every way. Montana being “The Last Best Place” has been discovered. And people are coming! Over the past 2 years, Montana has seen enough growth that a 2nd US Congressional seat has been added.

Sheridan is located within two hours driving distance to more than 50% of the state’s population and multiple cities in Idaho.