Timeline of Billings, Montana facts for kids

Billings, Montana, is a big city in the United States with a fascinating history. This timeline will take you through some of the most important moments and changes that have shaped Billings, from its early days to the present. You'll learn about how the city grew, what buildings were built, and other cool facts about its past.

Early Days of Billings: Before 1900

Billings started to grow in the late 1800s. People began to settle here, and the city quickly became an important place in Montana.

First Settlers Arrive

• 1877: The first homesteaders, or settlers, arrived in the area.
• 1882:
  • March 24: The Minnesota and Montana Land and Improvement Company was officially started.
  • The very first church in Billings was established.
  • The Billings Depot, an important train station, was built.
  • The Billings Herald newspaper began printing the news.
  • The Billings Cemetery was created.
• 1883:
  • A street railway started running between Coulson and Billings.
  • The Billings Fire Brigade was organized to help keep the city safe.
• 1885: The Billings Daily Gazette newspaper started publishing.
• 1889: Billings became part of the State of Montana when Montana became a new state.
• 1891: The Weekly Times newspaper began publication.

Billings in the 20th Century

The 1900s brought a lot of growth and new developments to Billings. The city became much larger and added many important buildings and organizations.

New Beginnings and Growth

• 1901: The first Public Library was established.
• 1902: The Billings and Northern Railroad started operating.
• 1903: The beautiful Moss Mansion, a large home, was built.
• 1904: The Northern Hotel opened its doors for business.
• 1906: The Babcock Theater was built.
• 1908: Billings Polytechnic, a school, was founded.
• 1910:
  • The Masonic Temple (Billings, Montana) was built.
  • The city's population reached 10,031 people.
• 1912: The Billings and Central Montana Railway began operating.
• 1917: The Cereal Food Processor Building was constructed.
• 1927: Eastern Montana Normal School, another important school, was founded.
• 1928: The Billings Municipal Airport started operating flights.
• 1929: The Yale Oil refinery began operating.
• 1931: The Fox Theater opened.
• 1932: Cobb Field baseball park opened for games.
• 1935: Intermountain Union College moved to Billings around this time.
• 1937: Excavation began at Pictograph Cave (Billings, Montana) near the city, where ancient drawings were found.
• 1944: St. Patrick's High School was established.

Post-War Expansion

• 1947:
  • Rocky Mountain College was established.
  • The Carter Oil Company refinery was built near Billings.
• 1948: The Billings Mustangs baseball team was formed.
• 1950:
  • The Billings Symphony Orchestra was founded.
  • The Shrine Auditorium was built.
  • The population grew to 31,834 people.
• 1953: The Billings Studio Theater company was founded.
• 1957: The Yellowstone County Courthouse was built.
• 1958: June 2: A tornado hit the city.
• 1962: Kampgrounds of America, a famous camping company, set up its main office in Billings.
• 1964: The Yellowstone Art Center opened.
• 1971: The Western Heritage Center opened.
• 1974: Sage Tower was built.
• 1975:
  • The Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena opened.
  • Granite Tower was built.
  • Rimrock Mall opened for shopping.
• 1977: Norwest Bank was built.

Late 20th Century Events

• 1980:
  • The Sheraton Hotel was built.
  • The city was covered in ash from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
  • The population reached 66,798 people.
• 1982: Rocky Plaza condos were built.
• 1985: The First Interstate Center was built.
• 1986: The design for the Flag of Billings, Montana was chosen.
• 1988: The city was filled with smoke from the Yellowstone fires of 1988.
• 1990: The population grew to 81,151 people.
• 1992: December 18: An airplane crash occurred.
• 1993: The Billings Bulls ice hockey team was formed.
• 1994: The Montana Women's Prison began operating.
• 1995: ZooMontana opened to the public.
• 1996: Charles Tooley became the mayor of Billings.
• 1999:
  • The Four Dances Natural Area was acquired by the US Bureau of Land Management.
  • The city's official website went online.
  • The Mormon Temple was dedicated.

Billings in the 21st Century

The new century has brought continued growth and new additions to Billings.

Modern Billings Takes Shape

• 2000: The population reached 89,847 people.
• 2002: The Skypoint awning and sculpture was installed downtown.
• 2007: The Billings Dharma Center was dedicated.
• 2008: Dehler Park, a stadium, opened.
• 2009:
  • The Magic City Rollers roller derby league was formed.
  • Tom Hanel became mayor.
• 2010:
  • June 20: The 2010 Billings tornado hit the city.
  • The population grew to 104,170 people.
• 2011: July: An oil pipeline burst near the city.
• 2012:
  • A new federal courthouse was built.
  • The Northern Hotel reopened after renovations.
• 2014: A new public library was built.
• 2017: Bill Cole became mayor.
• 2020: The population reached 117,116 people.
• 2022: The Shrine Auditorium reopened as the Eagle Seeker Community Center.
• 2023: Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine opened.
• 2024:
  • The Inner Belt Loop (Skyway Drive) road was completed.
  • Billings Logan International Airport added 3 new gates and 4 jet bridges.