Dude Ranch, Montana

A carved lion is part of a railing on a porch. — *Ornamental Bronze Lions frame the entryway to the side porch and the billiards room of the Lodge. Courtesy photo by Preserve Montana, 2013.*
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OTO brass boundary plate, the plate is an octagon shape, with the top and bottom sides being the longest. Text states: OTO Ranch Dude Ranch, MT. — *An original OTO brass boundary plate, from Dude Ranch, Montana. Courtesy photo by iCollector.com*
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Western dude ranching came into its heyday between 1900 and 1930, a time when cowboys and Western life caught the nation’s imagination and helped spark tourism. Randall, and Howard Eaton of Wolf, WY, were good friends and ambassadors for the industry. Dick Randall traveled to eastern states regularly where he was an ardent promoter of the OTO and all things Western.

Dick Randall and his stallion Medelothion under the OTO brand. Photo: CGNF OTO Collection.USDA Forest Service Photo.
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The OTO ranch was one of 26 in Montana and Wyoming at the formation of the "Dude Ranch Association” in 1926. The ranchers were joined by the Northern Pacific Railroad and governors of both states. Randall persuaded the group to adopt its name and became forever known as "The Man Who Put the Dude In Dude Ranching."

Two white signs. The first sign is resting on top of a metal milk container, it has a drawing of a silhouette of a deer head, text: OTO Ranch 5 miles. The second sign is resting on the floor, it has a drawing of a silhouette of a bear head, text: OTO Ranch 7 miles. — *Ranch Trail signs.*USDA Forest Service Photo.
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As the first dude ranch in the state of Montana, with a latchstring out to all, the OTO blazed a trail for others to follow. In 1926, the ranch was granted a post office with the proud address of "Dude Ranch, Montana,” and a century later, the industry and dude ranching are still alive and well in Montana.