Dude Ranch, Montana
Lion Porch supports on OTO Lodge. Ornamental Bronze Lions frame the entryway to the side porch and the billiards room of the Lodge. Photo taken August 11, 2013 at the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo by Preserve Montana.)
An original OTO brass boundary plate (property marker), from Dude Ranch, Montana. Photo taken May 18, 2018. At the Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo by iCollector.com.)
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. early 20th century. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. OTO Ranch Collection, Gardiner Ranger District. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(USDA Forest Service photo.)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."
Ranch Trail signs. OTO Signs – White – on exhibit in 2022. At the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Photo taken November 26, 2022. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(USDA Forest Service photo by Connie Constan.)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
Tom & Jerry Cup in OTO Collection. The entrance to the OTO where a hearty welcome, and sometimes a cold Tom & Jerry drink, awaited trail-weary visitors. At the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Photo taken November 26, 2022. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(USDA Forest Service photo by Connie Constan.).
Entrance to OTO Lodge. The entrance to the OTO where a hearty welcome, and sometimes a cold Tom & Jerry drink, awaited trail-weary visitors. Photo taken September 28, 2018 at the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
( Courtesy photo by Preserve Montana.)
OTO Brochure, Ca. 1938. At the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Photographer: Courtesy photo by PBA Galleries, 605 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94710. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo by PBA Galleries, 605 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94710.)
We’re Expectin’ You:
AUCTION ARCHIVE: LOT NUMBER 319
O.T.O. Ranch. Dude Ranch, Montana (Near Yellowstone National Park)
OTO riders at the Livingston Railroad Depot. For the Livingston rodeo, Early 20th century. At the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in Livingston, Montana. OTO Ranch Collection, Gardiner Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
( Photo by Brown, for the Northern Pacific Railroad. OTO Ranch Collection, Gardiner Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest.)
OTO Trail ride in the mountains, Early 20th century. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Scenes from horse packing trips with the OTO. Photo by Brown, St. Paul. Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Photo by Brown, St. Paul. Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. )
OTO Pack Trip in Camp, Early 20th century. Scenes from horse packing trips with the OTO. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Photo by Brown, St. Paul. Courtesy photo from University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
( Photo by Brown, St. Paul. Courtesy photo from University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection.)
OTO pack trip in the mountains, Early 20th century, from the OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Scenes from horse packing trips with the OTO. Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection.)
OTO Pack Trip camp with canvas tents, early 20th century. Scenes from horse packing trips with the OTO. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection.)
OTO Pack Trip saddled up, early 20th century. Scenes from horse packing trips with the OTO. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(Courtesy photo University of Montana, Mansfield Archives, Lesley “Gay” Randall collection.)
OTO Ranch Brochure. Date of photo: Ca. 1930. OTO Ranch on the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. OTO Ranch Collection, Gardiner Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest. View full-sized photo on Flickr.
(USDA Forest Service photo.)