Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame



The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) hall of fame organization. Its stated goal is to ""To honor our cowboy way of life, American Indian cultures, and our collective Montana western heritage. It confers the honour of induction on an annual list of distinguished individuals. At present, the organization lacks a permanent physical museum, but was granted statutory recognition by the Montana State Legislature in 2003 and 2011. Fundraising efforts include a specialty car license plate, The hall of fame was granted US$0.5 million in state funds for site development and project planning during a 2007 special session of the legislature.

A previous proposal was to be located in Wolf Point, Montana, as designated by the State of Montana in 2003. But the Big Timber location was selected in part due to its proximity to Interstate 90, proximity to other tourist destinations such as Yellowstone National Park and lower construction costs.

Inductees
The first round of legacy award inductees was announced on April 8, 2008. Trustees from the twelve districts voted on the nominees to arrive at 51 foundational members of the hall of fame. This initial round includes nominees who made their impact on Montana's western heritage between 1860 and 1920. Subsequent inductees were announced annually thereafter.

2008

 * Assiniboine people of Northeastern Montana
 * Sherman T. Cogswell
 * "Dutch Henry" Ieuch
 * William H. Moecker
 * Sitting Bull

2009

 * Harry Rutter
 * William Henry Smith

2008

 * Evelyn Cameron
 * Bob Fudge
 * N Bar N Ranch
 * Undem Ranch
 * Ralph R. Whitlock
 * XIT Ranch

2009

 * Daniel & Susan Haughian

2008

 * Ord Clinton Ames
 * Casey Barthelmess
 * T.W. "Wiley" King
 * Lisle D. Powell
 * David and Ijkalaka Russell
 * William Wiseham "W.W." Terrett

2008

 * "Long George" Francis
 * Marie Gibson
 * James "Jim" McCoy
 * Honora Matilda Redwing
 * Winfield Scott Young

2009

 * Louis Shambo

2008

 * Peggy Bell
 * Charles M. Russell

2009

 * James Willard Schultz

2008

 * E.C. "Teddy Blue" Abbott
 * James Fergus
 * DHS Ranch
 * Granville Stuart
 * George R. "Two Dot" Wilson

2009

 * W.E. "Limestone" Wilson
 * William I. Hughes

2008

 * Chief Plenty Coups - Chiilaphuchissaaleesh (Buffao Bull Facing the Wind)
 * Dilworth Cattle Company
 * Charles C. Huyck & The Roberts Ranch
 * Charles McDonnell
 * William Franklin McLeod

2009

 * John B. Kendrick

2008

 * 2nd US Cavalry
 * Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium
 * Thomas Cruse
 * John M. Frey
 * General Thomas Francis Meagher
 * Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers

2009
Fannie Sperry Steele

2008

 * Charles Anceney
 * Charles M. Bair
 * Henry Heeb
 * Nelson Brothers - Monroe "Beaver" & Frank "Doc"
 * Nelson Story

2009

 * Byron Roger Sherman

2008

 * Myron D. Jeffers
 * Conrad Kohrs Ranch
 * Nevada City Hotel
 * Henry Plummer
 * The Round Barn
 * Spokane - 1889 Kentucky Derby winner

2009

 * Frank Bird Linderman
 * The Sacred Medicine Tree of the Salish
 * Clyde Hunter Smith