BIG JIOKN COUNTY. 



Big Horn county came into existence January 13, 1913, by a vote of the people, 

 out of a territory embraced in Yellowstone and Rosebud counties. 



The county is watered by the Big Horn, Little Big Horn, Rosebud and Tongue 

 rivers and their numerous tributaries, affording a well watered range for stock and 

 an abundance of water for the 120,000 acres now under irrigation. Its streams 

 are rapid running and most beautiful and where the waters of the Big Horn 

 break from a snake-like canyon into the broad valley, is located a proposed dam. 

 At the head of the Big Horn valley, stands on the eve of construction the greatest 

 single hydro-electric power development in the world. The minimum development 

 of this dam is 210.000 horse power with a maximum of 800,000 horse power. It 

 will also furnish water for the irrigation of 100,000 acres of land and when com- 

 pleted an electric railway will traverse the Big Horn valley its entire length, con- 

 necting the C. B. & Q. with the N. P. railroad. The Big Horn Canyon Irrigation 

 & Power Co., incorporated by local people, have expended $105,000 in making sur- 

 veys and diamond drill tests. The bedrock tests show splendid formation and this 

 $16,000,000 enterprise is now assured. 



Farming and stock raising are the leading industries. Farming began in Big 

 Horn county with the opening of the ceded strip of the Crow Indian reservation 

 In 1916, and the excellent quality of soil and favorable climate is being annually 

 demonstrated by the first prizes captured at the state fair. All grains, grasses and 

 vegetables that grow anywhere in the state make excellent yields here. In the 

 valleys alfalfa and sugar beets are the leading crops, the yield of the former being 

 from 3 to 6 tons an acre and the later from 10 to 18 tons. Wheat is the great 

 crop on the non-irrigated land, yielding from 25 to 55 bushels per acre. Oats, flax, 

 barley and corn are very generally grown and all register good yields. 



A large syndicate of eastern capitalists has been formed to farm land in the 

 county. They have leased 200,000 acres south of Hardin and will farm on an exten- 

 sive scale. Fifteen tractors arc already on the ground and twenty more are on the 

 way. The Great Western Sugar company of Billings, has purchased the C. M. Bair 

 ranch of 1200 acres which they will use for raising sugar beet seed. The Holly Sugar 

 Beet company, of Sheridan, has leased several thousand acres south of Hardin and 

 is engaged in the raising of sugar beets. Cattle, sheep and hogs are raised 

 profitably. For the past three years cattle from the white faced herd of F. M. Hein- 

 rich has topped the range cattle market, giving this county first place in range cattle 

 production. There has been an increase of about forty per cent in the number of 

 livestock in the county. The Sorrel Horse ranch, consisting of 6,100 acres, is located 

 In the county. 



Vast deposits of coal are to be found in nearly all sections, and when proper 

 railroad facilities are developed, Big Horn county will be widely known for its annual 

 coal output. 



Hardin, the county seat, is the most important town, having a population of 



1,500. It is situated 56 miles east of Billings on the Big Horn river. It has 



three banks, twenty-seven retail stores, lumber yards, grain elevators, flour mill, 



garages, telephone system, water, lights, sewer, and paved streets. It also has a 



city park, well laid out with shrubbery. The high school is fully accredited, giving 



I a four year course. It has two fine churches, Congregational and Methodist, with 



others planned alter the war. It has a modern hospital with a staff of four nurses 



; and a modern theater, with a seating capacity of 800 people. The combined bank 



I deposits of the three banks total $1,250,000. 



Big Horn county has a population of about 5,000 according to estimates, and 

 property of an assessed valuation of $7,818,817 including railroad valuation. 



Land area: Big Horn county, which is in the Billings land district, embraces 

 an area of 5,111 square miles, including 39.S18 acres of state land. The remainder 

 of the county is included in the Crow Indian reservation. 



The estimated crop production for 1918 is far ahead of any crop the county 

 has had, due to plenty of rainfall and a greatly increased acreage planted. 



For further information write to the Secretary of the Hardin Chamber of 

 Commerce. 



