Homestead Monument in Missouri Breaks: A Tribute to the Harsh Lifestyle

In 1934, Pearl and Josie Gilmore, along with their seven children, filed for a 624-acre homestead in a remote section of the Missouri Breaks, south of Havre. Their tenacity to settle in the dry sagebrush uplands is evident in the remains of an old corral, simple log home, reservoir, and an old root cellar that served as their home until the log structure was built.

The Gilmore cabin, also known as the Gilmore cow camp, is now more accessible to the public as the Bureau of Land Management has opened a half-mile route into the Bullwhacker region in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. This area is known for its wildlife habitat and historical significance, with archeological sites and abandoned homesteads dotting the landscape.

Located about 4.5 miles north of the Missouri River and 2 miles west of Cow Creek, the cabin stands as a testament to the rugged lifestyle of the early settlers in the Missouri Breaks. Built in the 1940s with hand tools, the cabin was constructed with few nails, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time.

The Gilmores ran cattle and raised a garden on their homestead, living a sparse lifestyle with limited resources. The only running water the house ever had was when it rained, and a reservoir fed the cistern with screens to catch critters floating down from the water source.

The cabin exchanged hands over the years, eventually ending up in the possession of the BLM in 1983 as part of a land exchange. The Gilmores moved to Chinook in 1947, where Pearl bought an apartment building and Josie May oversaw the apartments until her passing in 1986.

In 2012, the BLM conducted restoration work on the cabin with the possibility of renting it out, but it continues to be used by campers and hunters. The cabin’s historic relevance lies in its association with the settlement of Montana during the homestead era, showcasing the hardscrabble life of early pioneers in the Missouri Breaks.

Zane Fulbright, the manager of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, emphasized the importance of preserving these homesteads as a reminder of the isolation and harsh conditions faced by the settlers. The BLM has classified the Gilmore cabin as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance in Montana’s history.

As visitors explore the Gilmore cabin and the surrounding area, they are invited to reflect on the resilience and determination of those who carved out a life in the unforgiving landscape of the Missouri Breaks. The cabin stands as a symbol of the pioneering spirit that shaped the history of the region, offering a glimpse into the past for future generations to appreciate.