Lavina

Lavina

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Lavina began as a trading post and stage station on the route between Billings and Lewistown. The Adams Hotel here served travelers for many years, and post office was established in 1883 with Walter Burke as postmaster. Burke and Clate Warner put up a few stage stables and some other shacks at the town’s original location circa 1882. Burke, who was superintendent of the stage line, blazed trails, blasted stumps, and built bridges on the 220-miles run of the Billings-Benton stage line—the first north-south route to carry mail on coaches. It was Burke’s job to establish stage stops, build barns and corrals, and stock them with hay and oats for the horses; he also provided an eating place, bar, and bunkhouse for drivers and passengers. None of the stations pleased him as much as the one on the south bank of the Musselshell, and Burke named in Lavina, in memory of a former sweetheart.

By 1883 find Concord coaches were rolling out of Lavina in three directions: north to Lewistown, east to the log post office at Roundup, and south to Billings. The town was often called the “White City” because so many of the buildings were painted white. Old Lavina, a mile downstream from the present townsite, was originally an Indian campground. The railroad bought the holdings of Louis Lehfeldt and built a depot; the first train pulled into the new station in February 1908. The stage stop gave way to a more modern train station as settlers arrived and the town was born. (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Lavina is the center of a farming and ranching community where everyone is considered a friend and neighbor. The Musselshell River is noted for its catfish and trout. Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased at the Lavina Bar. Stop and fish in some of the lakes and streams, participate in a cattle drive, or hunt the wildlife in the area.

Located In:
  Custer Country

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