Belt Museum Inc.

08/08/2026

From Del Darko

BELT VALLEY TIMES, JULY 6, 1916

In addition to the Belt Hardware advertisement.

Posted on the back page of the issue :

PICKED UP --- One black mare branded W on left hip. Weight about 1100 pounds. Horse now in pasture at Sam King's ranch, were owner can redeem same upon payment of advertising and pound fees amounting to $6.70, and pasture bill. If not claimed within 30 days from first publication of advertisement horse will be sold at public auction at Belt City Pound to highest bidder.
Dated July 6, 1916.
JOHN V. HARNER, Pound Master

Evidently stray horses were an another ordinance issue in the City of Belt in addition stray dogs and cats for Pound Master Harner.

08/07/2026

From Del Darko 1917, BELT, MONTANA

Population of Belt, Montana: 1000+

Population of Las Vegas. Nevada: 30

The American flag had 45 stars.

Average life expectancy of men was 47 years.

Average US workers made $200 - $400 per year.

Montana officially criminalized prostitution state wide.

Cascade County Deputy Sheriff W.S. Jeffries Monday instructed proprieteresses of houses in Belt's restricted district to close their doors and keep them closed.

08/07/2026

From Del Darko

1917, BELT, MONTANA

Population of Belt, Montana: 1000+

Population of Las Vegas. Nevada: 30

The American flag had 45 stars.

Average life expectancy of men was 47 years.

Average US workers made $200 - $400 per year.

Montana officially criminalized prostitution state wide.

Cascade County Deputy Sheriff W.S. Jeffries Monday instructed proprieteresses of houses in Belt's restricted district to close their doors and keep them closed.

08/02/2026

From Del Darko: On Friday, February 1, 1935 the New York Harlemites basketball team traveled to Belt, Montana to play in a highly anticipated game against the Belt Independents the local town team in the high school auditorium.

The Belt Independents match up was held in the Belt Highschool Auditorium located at the NW corner Main St & 2nd Ave. S as part of a major barn storming tour through the Pacific North West and the Rocky Mountain region under the management of Henie Olson.

Like their contemporaries, the Harlem Globe Trotters the Olson Harlemites combined elite basketball skills, comedy, high speed passing and dominat skills.

The Belt roster included (sorry the first names were not published) Johnson, Leland, Wood, Evans, Klimas, Jewell and Voytoski. High scores for Belt was Johnson and Klimas with 8 each.

Final Score:
Belt Independents 32
Olson Harlemites 36

"The gentleman of color are classed by the Belt team as one of the cleanest and fairest that they have ever met on the floor."

Two high-school youths acted as referees. Only one foul was called.

08/02/2026

From Del Darko: On Friday, February 1, 1935 the New York Harlemites basketball team traveled to Belt, Montana to play in a highly anticipated game against the Belt Independents the local town team in the high school auditorium.

The Belt Independents match up was held in the Belt Highschool Auditorium located at the NW corner Main St & 2nd Ave. South as part of a major barn storming tour through the Pacific North West and the Rocky Mountain region under the management of Henie Olson.

Like their contemporaries, the Harlem Globe Trotters the Olson Harlemites combined elite basketball skills, comedy, high speed passing and dominat skills.

The Belt roster included (sorry the first names were not published) Johnson, Leland, Wood, Evans, Klimas, Jewell and Voytoski. High scores for Belt was Johnson and Klimas with 8 each.

Final Score:
Belt Independents 32
Olson Harlemites 36

"The gentleman of color are classed by the Belt team as one of the cleanest and fairest that they have ever met on the floor."

Two high-school youths acted as referees. Only one foul was called.

07/31/2026

From Del Darko The photos of the Farmers and Miners State Bank and the Millard Mine are from a copy of the Belt Valley Times, Special Harvest Edition,1915.

The Millard Mine was on the road to Armington just beyond the current Southern city limits of Belt. It was located on the curve just across the highway to the back entry gate of the Little Belt Cowboys Rodeo Grounds.

The Farmers and Miners State Bank building was built in 1915 and housed a merchantile and hotel in addition to the bank. The Farmers and Miners Bank would later construct a new building across Castner Street from its original location. That bank would close its doors during the bank holiday in 1932.

In 1936 L.V. Jackson and a group of local businessman and farmers would found the BELT VALLEY BANK (still in business) and establish it in the former Farmers and Miners Bank building wish is now the TOWN OF BELT CITY HALL.

By the 1950's and 60's the first Miners State Bank building had become the WALDO HOTEL that was owned by the Lazure Family with Mr and Mrs Walt Finney as tenets who owned and operated WALTS BAR the KONE PALACE and GIFT SHOP. ERVINE SELF SERVICE owned by Jim Irvine would leased the former merchantile area.

The Harvest Moon Saloon is now the sole occupant of the original Farmers and Miners State Bank building. The original bank vault now stores and cools beer and other restaurant products.

06/28/2026

This is a note that Del Darko found in a 1934 Belt Valley High School Belt Buckle yearbook from James R Browning to Jack Bykari.

After graduating from Belt Valley High School in 1936 James Browning the son of a Nicholas Henry (a blacksmith) and Minnie Browning would go on to and graduate from Montana State University School of Law in 1941 with straight A's.

He would serve in the U.S. Army (1943-1946) and recieve a Bronze Star.

After his service in WW II Chief Justice Earl Warren would appointment James Browning to Clerk of The United States Supreme Court. One of the tasks that the Clerk of the Supreme Court James R. Browning had the honor of doing was to hold the Bible on wish President John F. Kennedy laid his hand on in his 1961 inauguration. That duty has since been reserved for the president-elect's wife.

President Kennedy would nominate Browning to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, for wish he was quickly appointed by the United States Congress. He would serve for 50 years, 12 of wish would be as Chief Justice of the 9th Circuit Court.

Judge Browning was known for a twinkle in his eye, smile and as being warm and friendly. He respected his colleges, was very humble and elected to use a very small room for a office with a Shaker type table for a desk.

Browning is credited with making the 9th Circuit Court what it is today. He was considered a master of administration and for rallying the efforts that added ten Judges to a backlogged Circuit as it was poised to be broken into three separate circuits.

James R.Browning was so highly regarded by his colleges that the Court House for the 9th Circuit Court was dedicated as THE JAMES R. BROWNING UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE OF CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE 9TH CIRCUIT in San Francisco, California.

Check out U Tube for Tribute to Chief Justice Judge Emeritus James R Browning.

06/27/2026

The Belt Museum will be open this Saturday & Sunday 12-4pm. Come by and pick up a free Belt Museum pin to celebrate the 2026 summer season!

06/07/2026

We have more merch for summer fundraising coming in thanks to Hometana Shirstie Ga***rd & Faye Nebel Elkhorn Designs.

06/06/2026