Early settlers migrating to Montana from Oswego, New York named their new community after their New York background. Oswego is best known as a prominent ranching community attracting Texas cattle herdsmen who shipped nearly 25,000 cattle to eastern markets. In 1928, Oswego attracted a new horse ranch with many of the horses going to slaughter at the Illinois Chappel Brothers Packing House. The area’s ranching history came to a halt with a devastating prairie fire in 1972. Known as one of the worst disasters in Montana history, the fire forced Oswego’s citizens to flee and created mass destruction in its path. Only 40 residents returned to the area, and the post office established in 1896 was forced to close.
Photo Gallery Northeast Montana
