Fort Ellis

Fort Ellis was a military post near Bozeman in Gallatin Valley, consisting of multiple buildings, barracks, and a parade ground. The layout followed standard patterns for frontier forts of its era, providing shelter and command facilities for troops.

The post was founded in 1867 to protect miners and settlers from attacks. Its location became strategically important during conflicts with Native Americans in the 1870s.

This location served as a meeting point between settlers, soldiers, and Native American tribes during westward expansion. Local residents today view it as a symbol of this complicated period in regional history.

Today the site functions as an agricultural research station run by Montana State University with limited visitor access. Check before visiting to see what areas are open, as it operates as an active facility.

Troops from this post participated in Colonel Gibbon's military operations in the mid-1870s. These campaigns remain an overlooked part of how frontier conflicts unfolded across the territory.