Sheridan County
Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
Homestead, at the extreme south end of our county was first settled in 1910, and it has had several names. The first was “Barford” – named because of its proximity to the historic N Bar N Cattle Company’s river crossing where they forded the Big Muddy River, when trailing their cattle to Kenmare, ND.
Later, a Mr. Pedar Peterson, who was the first postmaster, changed the name to “Peterson”. The postal authorities soon objected, so it was then changed to “Fort Peck”. The objections came from the Fort Peck Indian Agency in Poplar. Finally, the name “Homestead” was permanently adopted.
Homestead had the Great Northern Railroad depot and this caused it to grow and thrive. The first meat market in town was suspected of selling beef from rustled cattle! They had a saloon and pool parlor, a grocery store, hotel, barber shop, dray and livery service, newspaper (Pioneer Press), a school, blacksmith shop, lumber yard, two churches, a bank and a Community Hall which was built in 1912-13. It is now owned and kept in repair by the American Legion, and it still used for community activities.
Homestead is located only six miles north of Froid and six miles south of Medicine Lake. Perhaps this was one reason that the businesses closed, one by one, until none were left. School children now go to school in either Froid or Medicine Lake. Still, several buildings remain as a reminder of what homestead once was. However, there are no traveler’s services in the town today
HOMESTEAD
established in 1910
