And They Called the Land Montana – Harlowton Sculpture

Across mountain valleys and prairies rich with grass, past high peaks and flowing rivers, the distant land did call: “Come make your home with me”.

They came.

And they called the land Montana.

The above writing is inscribed on a plaque near a bronze statue in front of the Wheatland County Courthouse in Harlowton, Montana.

The statue, and a large Veterans’ Memorial Wall on the other side of the courthouse, are both incredibly inspiring.

I was in Harlowton a few weeks ago and stopped to admire this display.

First of all, it reminded me of all the hardships that homesteaders endured. Some survived, some didn’t, some gave up and went back to where they had been before the lure of free land created a movement to this land that became Montana.

This statue shows a family of a mother, a father and young son. I’d like to know if it was modeled after a real family, and whether or not they survived the hardships of homesteading.

This tribute to the hardy folks who came to Montana seeking a better life was erected in 1989, 100 years after Montana had become a state.

On November 8, 2014 Montana celebrated her 125th birthday.

And, if you are near Harlowton, take a drive through town, admire all the old stone buildings and stop by the courthouse. I hope you feel as proud as I did when I thought about what it took to start a new life in this land we call Montana.