Our Name - Our Heritage

Bozeman, Montana is a city deeply steeped in pioneer history. In 1860 a southern gentleman named John Bozeman traveled west in search of gold. Ho Bozeman was a visionary. With two years experience in gold mining communities, he knew they were unstable and short-lived. In the winter of 1863 he entered the Gallatin Valley for the first time. As spring turned to summer he saw its permanent worth as an agricultural valley. In a letter to the Montana Post he called it the “oasis of the mountains”.

Today his vision has become a reality. The city of Bozeman has become a center of education and culture: it is a meeting place for ranchers and agriculturist; it surrounded by rugged beauty, clean rivers, and fresh air. Above all it is a place of undying tradition and rich historical fascination.

Most interesting is the colorful character of John Bozeman himself. He was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He encouraged community growth and took an active role in making it happen. As a trail maker he guided scores of settlers to the Gallatin Valley. On August 9, 1864 the first official town meeting was held and it was resolved that the town be called “Bozeman”. And so John traded in his fringed buckskins for the gentlemanly attire he was more accustomed to – namely striped dress pants, a frock coat, white shirt, and black string tie. During the autumn of 1864 he initiated construction of Bozeman’s first flour mill. By the summer of 1866 Bozeman was ready for its first hotel and John was there to help proprietor G.W.A. Frazier complete it. John’s other interest ranged from farming and real estate to politics and riverboats. Even more fascinating than the life of John Bozeman was the mystery that surrounds the circumstances of his death.

On April 17^th, 1867 he and flour mill co-owner, Tom Cover, set out on a mission to Fort C.F. Smith near present –day Billings to secure orders for flour, grain, and beef. They spent the first night at Nelson Story’s cattle camp near the present sight of Livingston. By noon the next day Bozeman and Cover had traveled 10 miles down the Yellowstone River where they stopped for lunch. It was there that they encountered five Blackfeet Indians on Horseback calling “Ap-sar-ake” (we come in peace). Much speculation surrounds the ensuing skirmish, which left Bozeman dead and Cover wounded. Did Cover and Bozeman have an argument? Whodunit? There are even rumors that a group of jealous husbands were responsible for Mr. Bozeman’s untimely death.

Whatever happened, we can be sure that if John Bozeman were alive today, he’d be mighty excited about his city’s remarkable progress.

·Charles a. Lund wall, an up-and-coming plumber bought the property at 125 West main and constructed a 24’ X 50’ two story brick building at 125 West main in 1905. Over the next few years, Lundwall expanded the dimensions of his building to nearly its present size.

•The restored tin ceiling is the original ceiling from 1905.

•The wood display inset in the brick wall was the original window looking east.

•The bar stools are originally from a famous diner in New Jersey. They were stored in the building for many years. They were sent to Helena to have the nickel refurbished.

•The booths and paneling, on the west side, are the original booths installed in the early 1930’s when Bill’s Grill occupied the space. They are made from fig-gum wood and exotic wood from South Africa.

•The bar top in Blue Pearl granite is from Finland.

•The dining room floor slate is from Florence, Italy.

•The black and white photos are courtesy of the Museum of the Rockies. The photographer is Albert Schlectin. The photos were all taken in the area in the early 1900’s. We made photos from the 11x14 glass negatives and sent them to the enlarged sepia tone process completed.

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	© 2006 John Bozeman's Bistro