Hardin is the seat of government for Big Horn County, Montana. The city is situated on the edge of the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana. The Little Bighorn Battlefield, where the Northern Plains Indians defeated Custer and the U.S. Army, is just south of Hardin. The area that was to become Hardin was settled sparsely in the 1880s and 1890s by cattle and sheep ranchers. In 1904, the tribal lands adjacent to the Yellowstone River and lower Bighorn Valley were ceded to the federal government, opening the area officially to settlement by non-indigenous peoples. In 1906, Hardin was founded, and named for Samuel Hardin, a friend of Charles Henry Morrill, the town’s founder. Hardin was incorporated as a city in 1911 and in 1913, when Big Horn County was organized, Hardin was named the county seat. Hardin is located at the intersection of I-90 and State Highway 47, west of Billings.
Recommended Resources
Big Horn County Historical Museum & Visitor Center
The museum in Hardin, Montana features twenty-six historic buildings hosting collections of historic photographs and artifacts, special programs, educational and private tours. Membership information and photographs of the facilities are displayed.
http://www.bighorncountymuseum.org/
Published in Hardin, Montana, the newspaper focuses on news, school, sports and community events within the county, editorial features, obituaries, and a calendar of events. Subscription and advertising information is included.
http://www.bighorncountynews.com/
With Hardin as its county seat, Big Horn County is the sixth largest county in the state. Its official web site offers contacts for the various county offices and departments, as well as a guide to municipalities within the county, area events, and attractions.
http://www.bighorn.mt.gov/
The tent campground and recreational vehicle park is located in Hardin, in southeastern Montana, offering easy access to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and several other historical sites and facilities. The campground’s features and amenities are discussed, along with its rates, directions, and online reservation system.
http://www.grandviewcamp.com/
Affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the congregation meets at its facilities on 6th and Cody in Hardin, Montana. General information about the denomination and local church is offered, as well as schedules, a calendar of events, and leadership contacts.
http://www.hardinsda.org/
The hours of operation and directions to the Chevrolet dealership in Hardin, Montana are posted, and its inventory of new and used vehicles may be accessed online, along with information about its service and parts departments.
http://www.hardinauto.com/
The PK-12th grade public school district in Hardin, Montana operates a number of schools and educational programs, including the Kindergarten Readiness Center, Hardin Primary School, Hardin Middle School, Hardin Intermediate School, Hardin High School, the Fort Smith School, and the Crow Agency School, each of which are highlighted, with schedules and contacts.
http://www.hardin.k12.mt.us/
The official municipal web site offers information and contacts for the city administrative offices, departments and services, as well as a map of the city, public notices, council agendas and minutes, and a guide to area attractions and events.
http://www.hardinmt.com/
The annual event in Hardin, Montana is a working ranch horse and ranch-style rodeo held at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds, with the proceeds going to help with the maintenance and repair of the Will James cabins at the Big Horn County Museum. Directions, schedules, and registration information are offered.
http://www.willjamesroundup.com/
