Antelope, MT

History

In July of 1910, Isaac Culver, a railroad man, relinquished eighty acres for a town site to be called Antelope, named after a creek one-half mile to the east.

During the growing years of Antelope from 1910 to 1920, the town was considered “The Biggest Little City in Eastern Montana.” There were times of fun but also tragedy, as when Tom Courtney, Antelope’s first postmaster who became the County Sheriff, and his deputy were killed at Mondak in their first time capacity as lawmen. Also, when a storekeeper accidentally put gasoline in a kerosene can for a section worker. When the man lit the lamp it exploded and set his clothes on fire. He ran up town where he was wrapped in blankets to put out the fire. The man died before morning. He is buried in the Antelope Cemetery with a simple marker, “Italian”.

The Antelope Post Office was built in 1915 and is still in operation. At one time, Antelope had two active churches. The Antelope Lutheran Church, located on the east side of town was acquired in 1921. The red church building on the south edge of town was built in 1912, and served as the Adventist Church. Both congregations now attend church services in Plentywood.

The present community hall was built in 1911 as the Saint Anthony Lumber Company. It was later sold to the Sons of Norway Lodge, and eventually gifted to the community in 1993.

In 1912, a two room school was built. That building is still standing on the park location. A large school building was built north of this building in 1916. a gym added in 1945. These buildings were destroyed by fire in 1978, which brought about the disbandment of the school district in 1979. A monument stands at its previous entrance.

Fire also destroyed all but one of the town’s elevators. The remaining one was purchased and moved to a farm just northeast of town.

Travelers stop to enjoy a little history by taking pictures around the old jail, just south of the post office. The Jail was built by Bill Ambrose and Bill Yocum in the early years. Local lore has it that the only lock-ups were in fun and the “prisoners” had to buy drinks for the house to be released. Another popular picture site is the Antelope Next 7 Exits” sign posted one mile south of town.

This is a historic year for this little community and plans are underway for a Centennial Celebration to be held July 3, 2010. People from near and far are expected to gather for a full day of festivities. Th “Biggest Little City” will be a-bustle again! Visit Antelopemt.com for updates.

ANTELOPE

established in 1910

580 Graduates

First Graduation

- 1922

Last Graduation

- 1979

Burned in 1978

Antelope Pronghorns