Known as the “Treasure State”, most people think of gold, ruby, and copper when they think of Montana treasure. But have you ever thought about the treasure that grows from the rich Montana soil? Even before the glittering gold rush, the region was dominated by golden fields of grain.

Indigenous tribes cultivated native grains, such as wild rice, before European settlers arrived. Armed with an intuitive sense of the land, they knew where and when to plant in order to be successful. With the homesteaders came new grain varieties and cultivation techniques. Before long, they recognized the state’s potential to become a grain powerhouse, which was only amplified when the railroad came to town. Besides, what good is a grain without a way to transport it? Along with the iron horse, other technological advancements and industrialization, such as the invention of tractors and the combine, made the process of farming faster, more efficient, and less labor intensive. By the early 20th century, the golden age of grain in Montana was in full swing and farmers were cashing in on the bounty.

One of those farmers was Thomas D. Campbell, a North Dakota native who presented a plan to President Woodrow Wilson to raise wheat on a large-scale using mechanized farming. With financing from J.P. Morgan and other banks, a contract was signed for the use of land on Fort Peck Indian Reservation. By 1918, Campbell had a whopping 7,000 acres under production, but, like many farmers, would soon face a devastating drought. After losing most of his crop in 1919, Campbell relocated his operation to the Crow Indian Reservation.

In 1922, Campbell purchased the Montana Farming Corporation. The Campbell Farming Corporation became the largest privately owned wheat farm, employing upwards of 100 men and cultivating 95,000 acres. With Thomas Campbell at the helm, the corporation demonstrated an expertise in dryland farming and industrial farming techniques.

After decades of success, the corporation discontinued its farming operation in 1987, but its legacy remains. Buildings from Camp 4 of the Campbell Farming Corporation, including the bunkhouse, commissary, and others were moved to the Big Horn County Museum in 1997. Restoration was completed with funding from both the Corporation and the Campbell Family Foundation. Camp 4 symbolizes the triumph of mechanized farming in Big Horn County, which impacted area farmers for generations.