City of Big Timber, Montana

Welcome to the official website for The City Of Big Timber.

Big Timber is located in south-central Montana bordered by the Yellowstone and Boulder Rivers.

Captain William Clark led The Corps of Discovery into what is now Sweet Grass County in 1806, but it wasn’t until 1883, and the Northern Pacific Railroad came through, that Big Timber (formerly named Dornix) was born. A railroad station was constructed at Dornix, a small settlement at the confluence of the Boulder and Yellowstone rivers, whose economy revolved around a sawmill. Within a very short time, Dornix moved to higher ground and renamed Big Timber for the large cottonwood trees growing along the rivers. Big Timber was within the Crow Indian reservation lands until 1891 when the Crow Nation ceded their lands west of the Boulder River to the United States Government.

In 1880, two Irishmen, Charles McDonnell, and Edward Veasey drove 3,000 head of sheep from California to Montana, beginning a long history of sheep and cattle ranching in the area. In 1901 the first woolen mill in Montana was built in Big Timber, and at one time Big Timber shipped more wool than any other city in the United States. While farming and ranching are still the backbones of the area, platinum/palladium mining has become a major contributor to the economy.

Public Announcement – Public Health reminder of COVID-19 during crowded events

The Unified Command group for Sweet Grass County and City of Big Timber Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. As Montana enters into phase two of the re-opening, the number of people infected with Covi-19 has risen in Montana. In an effort to protect the health of our state and community, the members of the Unified Command are reminding people that events or gatherings of more than 50 people are not recommended if social distancing cannot be maintained.

The EOC would like to encourage those planning events of greater than 50 people in Sweet Grass County to consult the Governor’s Phase 2 reopening plan and the Center for Disease Control for suggestions. We would also encourage those planning events to contact The Sweet Grass County Public Health Nurse at (406) 932 5449 or jchappell@pmcmt.org. The Public Health Nurse has a form available to assist you during event planning and they can provide assistance in reviewing your plan.

CDC Guidance for Mass Gathering and Events https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html

Governor’s Phase 2 plan: https://covid19.mt.gov/.

Date: July, 14th 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COVID-19 UPDATE

Big Timber, MT- Sweet Grass County Health Department has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in a Sweet Grass county resident. The man, in his 80’s, has been instructed to remain isolated until he is fully recovered. It is unknown at this time how the individual contracted the virus. The health department will release no other identifying information about the patient to protect his privacy in keeping with federal law.

After interviewing this individual, it has been determined that he has had limited contacts in the previous two weeks prior to becoming ill. Anyone who is a direct contact will get a phone call from Sweet Grass County Health Department with instructions on how to proceed.

The incubation period for the virus that causes COVID-19 is 14 days. That means someone exposed to the virus is likely to get sick within two weeks, if at all. We hope residents will continue to practice good personal hygiene and distance themselves socially to prevent the spread of the disease now that it is officially in the county.

More information about COVID-19 can be found at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Preliminary Budget Notice 20 21