DEER LODGE, MONTANA

We left Columbia Falls and headed for Deer Lodge on Sunday.  There were lots of small towns we had to weave our way through before we could get on the freeway just before Missoula.  Freeway travel is much easier with the RV.  We were making really good time to Deer Lodge but when we were about 30 miles out, Max’s “check engine” light came on.  We were out in the middle of nowhere so we just kept going, since the truck was running just fine.  I was really glad when we finally drove into Deer Lodge.  We checked into the RV Park and got camp set up and, since it was Sunday, we just stayed around camp. 

First thing Monday morning, Bob went to find a mechanic who could plug the truck into a computer.  The turbo sensor was faulty.  The closest place to get one was Butte.  The mechanic could get it during his lunch break since he was going to Butte anyway to pick up some other things.  He would call us when he got back and we could bring the truck in and he would put the new part in for us.  So, now what do we do??

Since we could still drive the truck we decided to just go to some of the local sights around Deer Lodge.  We had gone to the Grant-Kohl ranch when we were there before so we decided to hit the many museums in town.  We decided to do the Old Territorial State Prison first then see how our time went.

The Prison was a self-guided tour and we could walk around the grounds, through the administration building, and through parts of the prison at our own pace.  They had lots of pictures and information along the way.  It was not boring.  We walked quite a bit in the hot sun, then went inside where it was very cool and dark.  The prison was built in the late 1800’s and had been used up until 1979 when a new facility was built outside of Deer Lodge.  We found the whole tour really interesting but we were very tired when we finished.  Here are some of the pictures we took of the prison.

Front of Prison on the Main Street of Deer Lodge

Inside the Prison where all the outdoor activities were held

The sell block.  They had it open so we could wander around

A cell for two people.  They had a few open so we could actually step in and almost turn around

This was the cell that belonged to their most notorious prisoner (forgot his name).  It contained some of his personal belongings.

This is the theater and they had quite a list of celebrities who had given performances here.  But the main entertainment was the prison band. 

In the foreground is the “Galloping Gallows”.  The gallows were made to be taken apart and transported to any location they were needed for an execution.  Montana is the only state that still does execution by hanging and that is being questioned.  After not being used for 90 years, in 1980 they moved the gallows to a location where they were needed for an execution.  That execution never took place and the gallows went back into storage in some other location but when the Territorial State Prison was turned into a museum, the gallows were brought here for permanent storage.  There was a list of 10-12 men who “dropped to their death” on these gallows.  There are the traditional 13 steps up to the platform. 

The prison tour was interesting, gloomy and depressing, and spooky in some parts.  We went into some of the tunnels used by the guards to move around and keep an eye on the prisoners in places like the mess hall, theater, chapel and classrooms.  Those tunnels were underground and narrow, damp, dark and just plain spooky.  Little dim lights here and there.  I told Bob that I hoped there wasn’t a power failure while we were down there.  Spooky!

On the brighter side, we also went to an antique car museum.  Here are some pictures we took.

They also had some trains on display.  I remember when the locomotives looked like this…back in the dark ages.

Caboose

We went back to the RV and Bob took the truck to the mechanic and Maxie is now working great again.

Here are some pictures we took of our camp.

While we were in Deer Lodge, thunder storms were in the area and the wind blew so hard we thought the RV was going to tip over.  I was trying to type and my fingers kept going to other keys as the trailer rocked violently with some pretty powerful gusts.  Glad when that stopped.

We left Deer Lodge on Tuesday morning and went to Idaho Falls.  We didn’t take any pictures in Idaho Falls and didn’t do anything but grocery shop, take it easy, and get ready to leave on Thursday to go home. 

And here we are…at home and glad to see everyone again.