Texas Longhorn cattle ranchers were responsible for the growth of Forestgrove as they migrated to Montana and settled on this prairie land. Predominantly a cattle ranching community, Forestgrove opened its first post office in 1899. After reaching a peak population of 525 in 1918, Forestgrove added the coal mining industry to its list of prosperous business ventures. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, coal was mined in the area and then shipped out on the Milwaukee Railroad. However, Forestgrove’s prosperity ran out, and today, a post office and wool shop are the community’s only remains.