.png){kind=icon}
Is Big Sky Country hiding a haunted mystery? The land that Billings, Montana sits on is filled with lore and legends dating back to the Old West and Gilded Age. Many of the area's historic landmarks are said to be touched by something mystical. Intrigued? Come learn about the haunted history and Old West legends of Billings Montana.
What Stories Would Those Buried at Boothill Cemetery Tell?
A perfect spot for anyone interested in the haunted history and Old West legends of Billings, Montana, Boothill Cemetery was the burial spot for what is now known as the ghost town of Coulson, Montana. Situated on the Yellowstone River's north bank just a mile from present-day Billings, Coulson was a quintessential Old West settlement with a lawman named John "Liver-Eating" Johnson. Nothing remains of Coulson today. Its streets, buildings, and signs are all gone. The only thing that remains is the old cemetery, where the townspeople buried their dead from 1877 to 1884.
What's Lurking in the Western Heritage Center?
The Western Heritage Center is a popular attraction in Billings, featuring exhibitions on Native American culture and the development of the Yellowstone Valley. Visitors can learn from more than 40,000 historic items and photographs while visiting collections. However, it's what you might not see during a visit that is the most interesting. The Western Heritage Center is housed in the historic Parmly Billings Memorial Library, which was built in 1901. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is said to be haunted by eight different ghosts! Museum visitors and staff report odd noises and doors shutting on their own within the building.
What's Hiding Among the Red Stones of Moss Mansion Museum?
Most people who visit the Moss Mansion Museum picture the merriment of the estate, all decorated for Christmas or buzzing with Hollywood-themed dinner parties. However, those who have lingered at the mansion after hours report odd activities. Built by Preston Boyd Moss and Martha Ursula Woodson Moss in 1903, the mansion, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once renowned for its opulent midnight soirees. Modern-day visitors and grounds caretakers experience odd things in the manor. There are common reports of a woman singing through the halls and strange shadows moving about the manor. The Moss Mansion Museum fully leans into the lore by hosting ghost tours in October!
What Secret Does the Yellowstone County Courthouse Hold?
The Yellowstone County Courthouse is the subject of local lore in Billings. According to employees, there's a spooky aura that can be felt the moment you enter the eighth floor. Some even say the air feels thick and unsettling. Their claims start to sound believable once you know that this space formerly held a detention center.
The Old West Lives in Billings: Come Explore Where the Past and Present Meet Under the Big Sky
It's impossible not to feel the spirit of the past as you look out over the blended plains and mountains of Billings. For those who aren't content to just briefly tour the city's spooky and historic attractions, there is a haunted hotel in Billings called the Dude Rancher Lodge, considered one of the best places to stay for both modern-day comfort and supernatural intrigue. Guests have reported unusual occurrences, including unexplained sounds and knocks on doors. The Montana Paranormal Research Society has even reported capturing an unexplained female voice on film during one of their investigations.
