History

We like to refer to the rich past of this area as "The History of Here," a tale of diverse transformations and numerous identities. From its submerged origins in the Western Interior Seaway to the stomping grounds of dinosaurs that left behind fossils and fossil fuels, this land has witnessed a kaleidoscope of changes. These prairies, once traditional hunting grounds for various Indigenous Nations—including but not limited to the Cheyenne, Crow, Assiniboine, Sioux, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara—later became a common campsite for sheep and cattle herders. The landscape featured natural springs, drawing herders seeking water for their stock. Interestingly, this feature played a pivotal role in the area's evolution.

In 1908 the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul railroad crossed the border from North Dakota into southeast Montana, and the once-sleepy town of "Lorraine" became a vital rail stop, earning a new name, "Baker," in honor of the railroad engineer A.G. Baker. The natural springs caught the attention of the railroad, prompting the excavation of a reservoir, later named "Baker Lake." Intended to cool steam engines, the lake's alkaline water unfortunately proved corrosive. Abandoned for years, the lake found new life when the Baker Woman’s Club persuaded the railroad to sell it to Fallon County. Today, it stands as a picturesque recreation resource, shaped by numerous overhauls and upgrades.

With the advent of the railroad began a flood of homesteaders, eager to cash in on the “free” land offered by the US government. The railroad did their part to populate what was then Custer County, publishing brochures to entice potential homesteaders. By the 1920s, a steady population base emerged, including several small communities within what has now become Fallon County. A pivotal moment occurred in 1912 when, while digging for water, natural gas was discovered north of Baker. This was followed in 1936 by a bold headline in the Fallon County Times proclaiming, "Oil! Oil! Oil!" Since then, oil and gas have remained, along with agriculture, a staple of the Fallon County economy.