Rapelje, Mt.
This railroad destination point turned farming and ranching community is home to just over 100 residents, and is recognized by the four iconic grain elevators scraping the sky. Despite the small number of folks who call this place home, the town sustains a school and a post office.

For years, friends and family in Rapelje gathered at The Stockman Cafe for good food and good company, and to welcome visitors for events.

Northeast of Rapelje, Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most productive waterfowl areas in central Montana, perfect for birding and hiking. Southeast of town Halfbreed National Wildlife Refuge offers a sanctuary for wildlife and is managed as a “closed property,” but hiking and wildlife viewing are permitted among the native prairieland.



This railroad destination point turned farming and ranching community is home to just over 100 residents, and is recognized by the four iconic grain elevators scraping the sky. Despite the small number of folks who call this place home, the town sustains a school and a post office.

For years, friends and family in Rapelje gathered at The Stockman Cafe for good food and good company, and to welcome visitors for events.

Northeast of Rapelje, Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most productive waterfowl areas in central Montana, perfect for birding and hiking. Southeast of town Halfbreed National Wildlife Refuge offers a sanctuary for wildlife and is managed as a “closed property,” but hiking and wildlife viewing are permitted among the native prairieland.


This railroad destination point turned farming and ranching community is home to just over 100 residents, and is recognized by the four iconic grain elevators scraping the sky. Despite the small number of folks who call this place home, the town sustains a school and a post office.

For years, friends and family in Rapelje gathered at The Stockman Cafe for good food and good company, and to welcome visitors for events.

Northeast of Rapelje, Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most productive waterfowl areas in central Montana, perfect for birding and hiking. Southeast of town Halfbreed National Wildlife Refuge offers a sanctuary for wildlife and is managed as a “closed property,” but hiking and wildlife viewing are permitted among the native prairieland.

Very cool
Very cool
Very cool

Those old grain elevators are cool, probably no many left standing like those

Nice photos. Weren't those wooden grain elevators fire hazards?

We have more then our share of them standing in ND yet. I have been in some and up to the top floor.

Used to live in that area (Big Timber) Had a good pheasant hunting spot just out of Rapleje till an outfitter leased it

They (outfitters) ruin it for everyone ,most are very greedy and will try and run you off .

We use to have a second house up there, used it as a hunting and trapping cabin.
Good Antelope hunting up there, just sold it in October.

Yep, a great area wide open spaces.

I Love Lope hunting

Wonder how far they had to go to find enough boards lol.

Interesting

One still for sale by owner in town. Green one on the corner next to the repair shop,
Unless that was yours and I was their before the a sale.


Mostly Germans in the town/ area.

No ours was last house headed west on big timber road.

Copy

The school

Great post.

My mom's mother was born in Ekalaka in the southest corner of the state, and the town was formed after a wagon train full of whiskey and loose women broke down on their way to Ft. Peck. She later found her way to Miles City where she and her husband owned the Lincoln grocery for all of their lives. It was a big thing in Miles City and they ran a large wholesale meat operation as well. I used to grind beef and make patties for the local restaurants when I was there on vacation. My brother and I took our skim eating raw burger in the process.

My mom's sister settled in Big Timber and with her husband owned a TV and appliance store for many years. They even survived the big box stores coming to Bozeman and Billings because they offered excellent service. The rich Hollywood crowd who bought "ranches" south of Livingston all bought their stuff from them.

On another note, my dad's mother worked as a secretary for years for Irv Teslow, who built almost all the grain elevators in southwest Montana. I'm not sure if he was in business during the wood years, but I'm guessing that before the war, he probably was.

Some of the best times in my life were in Montana and I have roots there.

Pete

Stagecoach rd,,,,, south of town. On a clear day you can see 7 different mountain ranges.
It is close to the area the Dutch “tried” to farm without success.

Awesome old Building

I graduated from highschool in that little school house. 25 kids in highschool and 75 k thru 12. Had a big class graduated with 9 but 2 were foreign exchange students. Getting smaller my niece graduated with 3 in her class.

Noice!