Saugus, Montana facts for kids

Saugus is a small, rural community in Prairie County, Montana, United States. It is located right along the Yellowstone River. Saugus is known for being the place where the Custer Creek train wreck happened a long time ago.

Saugus used to be a very important spot in eastern Montana. It was one of the biggest places where cattle and horses were shipped out by train. In 1909, Saugus opened its own post office. There was also a school for children in the community. However, the post office closed in 1925. Today, people in Saugus get their mail from the Terry post office.

The Famous Train Accident

What Happened at Custer Creek?

Saugus was once on the Milwaukee Road railroad line, which was a major train route. On June 19, 1938, a passenger train called the Olympian #15 was traveling through the area. This train was on its way across the country.

Suddenly, the train went off its tracks. This happened because the bridge supports over Custer Creek were washed away. Heavy rains from a "cloudburst" had made the water in the creek rise very high and fast. Seven out of the eleven train cars derailed.

The Impact of the Wreck

There were 175 people on the train when the accident happened. Sadly, many people were hurt, and some even lost their lives in the floodwaters. It was a very serious event for the community and the railroad.

Why the Name Changed

After the accident, the Milwaukee Road railroad decided to change the name of the Saugus station. They renamed it Susan. This was done to honor a cattlewoman named Susan Haughian. She and her sons owned the land where the station was located. The new name also helped to remove the sad memory of the train accident from the station's name.

Railroads in Saugus

The last railroad that ran through Saugus was the Burlington Northern Railroad. Even though the station's name changed, trains continued to pass through this historic area for many years.