Predating the Bozeman Trail, the United States’ government signed a treaty with the Shoshone tribe agreeing that Americans will not travel through their native land during the Oregon Trail migrations. American settlers later realized that cutting through the Tribe’s territory saved two months on their journey to Bozeman, Montana for the gold rush. Travelers violated the Treaty by marking the Bozeman Trail, which led them through the Shoshone land three miles East of here.

Because the Americans chose to breach the Treaty, they suffered the consequence of aggravating the Native tribe. On the Hills to the East (Straight past the Cookhouse) Teepee rings, rock circles used to maintain a teepee’s structure, remain where the Shoshone staked their camp to watch over the traveling Americans. To protect the Western migrants, in 1876 the federal government instated a fort roughly every 100 miles of the trail, including Ft. McKinney West of Buffalo. The forts housed rangers who patrolled the Bozeman Trail for Americans’ safety.

The original cookhouse is one of the oldest operating restaurants in the state. Homesteaders built the building in front of you after the Johnson County Cattle War, to feed the families and cowboys. The kitchen, restrooms, and office mark the original building. The dining room was later added on. The building consists of wooden logs milled to a square shape for added design.