Plentywood
Plentywood is a city in Eastern Montana.
Understand
Sheridan County is a rural community whose commerce centers around the family farm and ranch. They have substantial oil exploration and development, a brisk Canadian trade, abundant wildlife, and a country personality where friends are friends indeed. The county incorporates modern schools, parks and recreational facilities, transportation, a modern hospital, elderly care and housing, and shopping facilities.
History
The county was organized April 1, 1913. Plentywood had incorporated in 1912 and was chosen as the County Seat. Sheridan County has a most interesting history (part wild west with the old-time outlaws using the famous Outlaw Trail to evade the law and part political excitement as the Communists tried to get a foothold on the citizenship here during the early 1930s while the Great Depression was in full swing.)
The Outlaw Trail started at the Outlaw Caves in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, and wound its way south through Sheridan County and as far south as Wyoming and beyond. The trail was in heavy use during Sheridan County's early days. Romantic stories abound concerning these famous outlaws who stole cattle and horses and occasionally robbed a bank or two, escaping and evading the law via the Outlaw Trail.
The Communist era was another colorful historic time for the County. The Communists moved in and labored long and hard to convert the citizens to their political ways. They infiltrated the county government, had their own newspaper, and provide today's interesting tales of their struggles during their rise and fall.
The oil boom of the 1970s and early 80s also added a robust flavor to life in Sheridan County. As the population in the county more than doubled, the "live fast - work hard" lifestyle became commonplace as poker chips from local saloons were treated as legal tender almost anywhere in the county.
There is something unique and special in small-town living. Everyone in Sheridan County can assure you of that!
Get in
Plentywood is remote so you will need a car to get there.
It is at the intersection of MT Highway 16 and MT Highway 5. If coming from Canada, take Saskatchewan Highway 6 south. If coming from North Dakota, take North Dakota Highway 5 west.
The nearest commercial airports are in Williston, North Dakota or Regina, Saskatchewan. Both have car rental companies.
Get around
The town is fairly spread out so a car or bike is needed. There is a central section of town, with some shops and eating places, that can easily be walked.
When adventuring outside of town, be sure you plan for fuel and download maps. Wide open country is great to explore, just don't expect to always have service and amenities.
Do
You can go bowling, watch a movie, play in the park, and fish at the dam.
Eat
- Cousins, 118 S Main, ☏ +1 406 765-1690.
- Randy's.
- Fryer Tucks.
- Gold Dollar.
- Blue Moon.
- Main Bistro.
Drink
- Spot Bar.
- Cassidy's.
- Vets Club.
- Robin Hood Lounge.
Sleep
- Sherwood Inn, 515 West 1st Avenue, ☏ +1 406 765-2810.
Connect
- 🌍 Sheridan County Library, 100 W Laurel Ave, ☏ +1 406 765-3510, library@sheridancountymt.gov. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. WiFi in and around building. Computers inside available with guest pass. Free.
Go next
- Brush Lake (30 miles east) is a mile long lake great for any water activity.
- Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge (22 miles south) has hundreds of species of migratory birds.
| Routes through Plentywood |
| END ← Scobey ← | W E | → becomes → Jct N S → Crosby → Dunseith |
| Regina ← Corinne ← becomes ← ← | N S | → Jct W E → Sidney → Glendive |