Cross Section of Early City Life Before Modern Travel
A reminiscence recounts life before cars and film, detailing bicycle gains, wagon camping, country dances, and a Dillon skating rink era. It notes 1880s fire, militia roots, and the Opera House reuse, ending with a promise of continuation on page 12.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
California
National Parks
Ocean
Iowa
Illinois
Phil Lovell
Argenta
al Hoyt
Dillon
Eliel
B. F. White
Hatfield
Pacific
White
Dillon Triumphs in 1881 County Seat Vote Over Bannack
In 1881 Dillon won the Beaverhead county seat election 1168 to 671 over Bannack amid strong local support. Bannack upholds mining towns in Trapper Gulch Glendale and Lion City as Dillon grows central via railroad access. A two story schoolhouse and county offices occupied the old court site, built for 2500 dollars by town contributors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dillon
Bannack
Legislative Assembly
Beaverhead County
Old Town
Trapper, Gulch
Glendale
Lion City
Trapper
Bob Wing
Dave Reinhart
Phil McGough
Joe Metlen
Early Dillon History Highlights Churches and Brick School
In 1883 Dillon saw two churches Episcopal and Methodist rise as civilization expanded. Pioneers Bishop Talbot, Tuttle, Brewer and others worked to provide spiritual guidance while Hookers shaped local culture. The first brick schoolhouse began that year with trustees Carter Thomson Fyhrie securing funds with personal notes. County seat moved to Dillon in 1881 as railroad expansion continued.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Episcopal
Talbot
Tuttle
Van
Bishop Brewer
Tait
Norris
Drummond
Dolls
Hooker
Dillon
W. B. Carter
C. L. Thomson
L. C. Fyhrie
Barmack
Idaho
Beaverhead
Early history of Dillon linked to Utah Northern railroad
After the 1872 plans for a Corinne to Dillon link, the Utah and Northern Railroad brought progress to Beaverhead valley. Dillon grew from land purchased Sept 14 1880, with merchants like Sebree Ferris White leading a town formed by lots sold at auction. The town, named for Sidney Dillon, reached 300 inhabitants by Oct 10 1880 with 14,000 bushels of wheat in 1881 and soon became county seat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Utah
Montana
Brigham Young
Utah & Northern Railroad Commission
Corinne
Union Pacific
Northern Pacific
Beaverhead Valley
Barrett’s Station
Richard Deacon
Dillon
Deacon
Howard Sebree
L. J. Ruth
Sim Estes
L. C. Fyhrie
B. F. White
Charles Lefevre
Wilden Pinkham
E. M. Ratcliffe
Sebree
Ferris & Holt
George Smith, & Co
John M. Lowell
William Wood
Bash
Ferris and White
Leonard Eliel
George. W. Dart
Kirkpatrick Brothers
L. C. Fuhrie
Dillon City Lot Company
Court House
Utah Northern Railroad
Heléna
Kupfer Drug Store
Metlen
Eliel Brothers
Sebree, Ferris and White
Bank
Helena
Brundage
Dillon Tribune
Sidney Dillon
Union Pacific Railroad
Also Mentioned on This Page
Dillon Militia Company
Frank Top
Adolph
Leonard
City
Barrett Station
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!