Garryowen, Montana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Garryowen, Montana | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Montana |
| County | Big Horn County |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Private Town | |
| Government | |
| - Honorary Mayor & Owner | Chris Kortlander |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Time zone | Mountain (UTC-7) |
| - Summer (DST) | Mountain (UTC-6) |
Garryowen is a private town in Big Horn County, Montana, United States owned by Chris Kortlander. The "Townhall" currently houses a Conoco gas station and convenience store, a Subway, an arts & crafts store called "The Trading Post," and the Custer Battlefield Museum This town is currently for sale.
Contents |
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Peace Memorial
The tomb is a monument that officially marks the end of hostilities between the Lakota-Cheyenne and the U.S. Government. Within the tomb lies the remains of the soldier, and a tomahawk. The tomb was dedicated during an event called "Burying the Hatchett."
[edit] Custer Battlefield Museum
The Custer Battlefield Museum features many artifacts from the Battle as well as books and memorabilia.
[edit] The Trading Post
The Trading Post is a beautiful gift shop packed with many great collectibles. A sister store is also located across from the entrance to the Last Stand Hill Monument that features similar wares and a café.
[edit] The Center Pole
Located on Wellknown Buffalo's historic Indian trust land on the Crow Indian Reservation, this Native, non-profit organization's mission is to "empower Native American youth through knowledge, experience and global awareness" as well as to "promote the exchange of information, ideas and understanding between Indian reservations and the mainstream." It is a partner organization to Billy Mill's Running Strong for American Indian Youth (www.indianyouth.org) with a donations warehouse serving those in need in the community. The Buffalo Nickel Thrift Store, a community enterprise selling recycled clothing and housewares, welcomes visitors. Three of the buildings are hybrid straw bale constructed buildings. For more information see their website.
[edit] History of Garryowen
In 1895, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad established a tiny station on the Little Bighorn River, where water was taken on and US Army troops, supplies and mail were off-loaded for delivery to nearby forts and homesteads. This station was called Garryowen, after the marching song of George Custer's 7th Cavalry. When the Crow Reservation lands were created in 1868, Garryowen became part of the Crow's holdings, but the land was later sold by the tribe and the Federal government to private citizens. By 1926, the "town" of Garryowen was in private hands, but still consisted of little more than a small market. It was at this time, just a month before the 50th Anniversary of the Battle, that work was being done on an irrigation ditch just East of Garryowen - along Reno's line of retreat. Much to their surprise, work crews uncovered a nearly complete set of skeletal remains (no skull was ever found), accompanied by several bullets and buttons, clearly indicating that this had been a Cavalry soldier. Because 14 of Reno and Benteen's men were never accounted for following the Battle, accurate identification of the remains was impossible. However, with planning for the celebration's events in full swing, The Custer Memorial Association decided a memorial service, with full military honors, was due this long-lost Unknown Soldier.
The body was to be entombed in a special monument in the battlefield cemetery following a "Burying of the Hatchet" ceremony at Garryowen, in which US government and Indian representatives would smoke a peace pipe and place a tomahawk in the base of the monument.
[edit] The Battle of the Little Bighorn
Garryowen is located on the same lands that the southern edge of Sitting Bull's encampment once sat upon. Major Reno and his detachment fired the first shots just a few hundred yards away from Garryowen.
