Grant Kohrs Ranch Foundation

05/10/2023

DEER LODGE, Mont. — In the heart of the Deer Lodge Valley, there's a place where families can learn about Montana's rich cattle ranching history.

At Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site the old-fashioned work ways never went out of style.

For years, the ranch has welcomed visitors to its stunning 1,600-acres near Deer Lodge.

NBC Montana spent a good part of a day at the ranch, where we met David Baker of Deer Lodge.

In the heart of the Deer Lodge Valley, there's a place where families can learn about Montana's rich cattle ranching history.At Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Histo

05/10/2023

DEER LODGE, Mont. — In the heart of the Deer Lodge Valley, there's a place where families can learn about Montana's rich cattle ranching history.

At Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site the old-fashioned work ways never went out of style.

For years, the ranch has welcomed visitors to its stunning 1,600-acres near Deer Lodge.

NBC Montana spent a good part of a day at the ranch, where we met David Baker of Deer Lodge.

In the heart of the Deer Lodge Valley, there's a place where families can learn about Montana's rich cattle ranching history.At Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Histo

04/05/2023

Calving season is at hand. As April progresses, nervous cows paw the ground and begin lowing uncomfortably as they prepare to give birth to spring calves. Late April will see a handful of calves literally hit the ground with the majority of newborns arriving in May. Although the ranch does not count its calves before they - er - hatch, it is expected that roughly 65 babies will be born within the next few weeks. Make a plan to come see the ranch's newest arrivals!

04/04/2023

In the early spring of 1886 Johnny Grant found himself in financial trouble and nearly bankrupt. He decided it would be worth spending what little gold dust and money he had left to take a trip back to Montana in hopes of collecting old debts and seeing some familiar faces.

Grant arrived in Deer Lodge on or about April 4, 1886, and immediately went to visit his former home and good friend Conrad Kohrs. The house still looked pretty much the same as when Grant had constructed it a few decades earlier. “No place I had felt as I did now at the sight of my old chimney. My heart came up to my throat. I could have set there and wept like a child at the recollection of those days.” The only changes he observed were renewed shingles on the roof and several trees in the front lawn.

Conrad Kohrs answered the door but didn’t recognize the man on his porch. Johnny thought this would be a good opportunity to have a little fun with his old friend and asked if he was willing to “hire a man” to which Conrad quickly responded “I have all the men I need. I have no work for more.” It was raining that day and the two men continued their conversation on the porch until Johnny eventually asked if he could possibly come in to get out of the rain.

The two men entered the house and sat down together in the formal parlor of the ranch house. Grant continued to act shy as he observed the elegance of the room. After a few minutes of talking Grant began asking Conrad about old friends, this immediately triggered a memory in Conrad to which he said, “surely you are not Johnny?” Once Kohrs realized who was sitting in his home he immediately grabbed a hold of Grant’s hand and vigorously shook it while saying “well John, I’m glad to see you. You are welcome.”

For the rest of the afternoon Johnny met the Kohrs family, had a lovely meal, took a tour of the stables, and learned how successful Conrad had become after purchasing Grant’s original ranch and stock. “Con was rich in fact he was a millionaire. He had climbed the ladder and I had went down. I did not regret it. I expected it. I preferred poverty rather than run the risk of seeing any of my sons meet with a tragic death.”

Grant found that most people that owed him money were reluctant to pay old debts. It was different with Conrad Kohrs. He was very generous and eager to help his old friend. Kohrs loaned Grant horses and paid for most of his expenses while visiting Montana. This allowed Grant to travel around the area to visit acquaintances in Idaho and to witness the large-scale mining and smelting operations in both Anaconda and Butte, which were not yet established when Grant lived in Deer Lodge.



Image Description: A black and white composite image featuring a picture of Johnny Grant (left) and Conrad Kohrs (right).

02/06/2023

Hollywood comes to Deer Lodge.

In the early morning hours of October 11, 2022, an army of trucks, equipment and crew rolled into the ranch to shoot a scene for the Paramount television series "1923".

The scene portrays young Jack Dutton, played by actor Darren Mann, at the ranch's working corals making a deal for his family's cattle. The main ranch house, bunk house and dairy barn are visible in the setting along with the Flint Creek Mountain range in the far background. A number of cottonwood trees changing to their fall colors add decoration.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site was honored to play a role in the production and proud the ranch's setting enhanced the story. The scene is only a little longer than a minute and can be viewed between the 30:36 and 31:53 mark of the fifth episode.

Photo depicts a scene from the Paramount television series "1923" in which a number of ranch buildings provide background.

12/29/2022

Happy New Year!! Are you planning on having or attending a party to celebrate?

In 1861, Johnny Grant held a festive party in the middle of a blizzard to rejoice. This included multiple feasts, lots of dancing, and the fun lasted two days because of the storm! On January 1st, 1862, early Montana pioneer and historian Granville Stuart reflected on the occasion: "Everybody went to a grand ball given by John Grant at Grantsville and a severe blizzard blew up and raged all night. We danced all night; no outside storm could dampen the festivities." As the storm continued throughout the next day Stuart went on to say: "No one ventured to even try to go home... Johnny Grant, good hospitable soul, invited everyone to stay until the storm should cease... After breakfast we laid down on the floor of the several rooms, on buffalo robes that Johnny furnished, all dressed as we were and slept until about two o'clock in the afternoon, when we arose, ate a fine dinner that Johnny's wife, assisted by other women, has prepared, then resumed dancing which we kept up with unabated pleasure until about nine in the evening, when we paused long enough to eat an excellent supper. We then began where we left off and danced until sunrise."

The Kohrs family also enjoyed celebrating New Years and their parties were often mentioned in the local Silver State Newspaper. To make room for dancing and guests to mingle the spacious dining room became part of the “ballroom” and the party would last far into the New Year’s morning.

As a reminder the ranch will be closed on New Year’s Day and will reopen at 9:00 am January 2nd.

Image Description:
A pair of tan and light brown draft horses pulling a sleigh/wagon down a snowy road. The image is taken from the wagon/sleigh and is looking towards the back of the two horses as they pull a wagon. In the distance a large, snow covered mountian is seen directly in the middle of the image.

12/15/2022

11/23/2022

10/06/2022

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He’s got to pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one!” - Charles M Schulz.

Pumpkin Sunday is almost here! Mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon of family fun on October 16th from 1:00-4:00 pm. There will be a variety of fun outdoor activities for all ages including tractor rides, scavenger hunts (nature trail fitness and pumpkin fun facts), hay maze, soap making, bonfire, and prepackaged craft kits. Don’t forget that dogs are not allowed at the event so please leave your pets at home!

The pumpkin patch will be open for children 14 and under to search for their very own “Great Pumpkin.” Please remember to pick just one pumpkin per child.

*Reminder* During the event there will be no house tours and the visitor center will be closed.

This annual celebration is free and fun for the whole family! We hope to see you there!



Image Description: A young child is carrying a large pumpkin through a field at Grant-Kohrs Ranch. The child has their back turned away from the camera and is walking towards a crowd of people and scattered pumpkins in the distance.