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The Wool House LbNA #28888

Owner:The Olde Oak
Plant date:Feb 20, 2007
Location:
City:Big Timber
County:Sweet Grass
State:Montana
Boxes:1
Found by: Lost Sailor
Last found:Aug 6, 2020
Status:FFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Feb 20, 2007
Big Timber got its name in 1806 from a railroad official who read the journals of William Clark. In his writings, Clark mentioned the giant cottonwood trees that grew near the area called "Rivers Across." The name stuck and Big Timber grew to be a thriving sheep ranching community. At one point, Big Timber exported more wool than any other city in the United States. Today, Big Timber is a successful agricultural community.

Prairie land borders Big Timber to the north and east sides, while the west and south are dominated by majestic mountains. Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana at 12,799 feet, is a part of the Absaroka Mountain Range. The Boulder Mountains to the south, and the Crazy Mountains just north of Big Timber, offer spectacular hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. Blue ribbon trout fishing attracts anglers from all over the country.

There is much debate over how the distinctive Crazy Mountains got their name. One theory suggests that the Native Americans called the mountains "Mad Mountains" for their steep grade, rugged peaks, and howling winds. Another theory takes a geological approach and points out that these peaks are made of younger, upthrusted lava, and thus look different and "crazy" compared to the surrounding rock. Still another theory tells of a woman who went mad and took refuge in the mountains.

However the mountains surrounding Big Timer got their names, everyone agrees on their breathtaking contribution to the scenery. Popular motion pictures such as A River Runs Through it, and the Horse Whisperer were filmed in this area.

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Big Timber, Montana, is located between Billings and Bozeman right off I-90. Take the first exit to Big Timber (There’s one exit to the east and another exit to the west of town.). Proceed on Business I-90 into Big Timber. Turn onto McLeod Street in a crazy direction (Clue: If you are now stuck reread the third paragraph.) Park on McLeod between Business I-90 and the train tracks. Walk in a crazy direction over the train tracks. Make the first right onto Yellowstone Avenue which follows the ancient and traditional travel route prior to the arrivals of Europeans. Continue strolling down Yellowstone past the two tallest structures in town. Observe the brick Wool House on your right immediately after the two very tall buildings. The Wool House parallels the rails. On the tall building end of the Wool House walk toward the rails. A lot of trains go through so take care to stay off the tracks unless you are sure nothing is coming your way. Now look down the brick wall above the loading platform. Observe graffiti on the walls dating at least from the 1920’s. Find the graffiti for Tex King of Tramps -29-. Directly below the word, “Tramp,” under the loading platform in a corner on the rails side of the space you will discover a pile of several large rocks. You will need to crawl under a couple feet. Under the rocks will be a camo tape covered plastic container.

Note that though the Wool House may appear abandoned it is not, and is rented for storage by two different concerns.

Please me know if you find the Wool House letterbox and tell me how it looks. I can only visit it rarely for maintenance.

Good luck!