History
Fort Peck Cemetery, situated in Valley County, Montana, is closely linked to the history of Fort Peck, a community that emerged with the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. The dam project, a monumental undertaking of the New Deal era, began in 1933 and attracted thousands of workers to the remote northeastern Montana plains. This influx of population led to the rapid development of both the government-planned town of Fort Peck and numerous surrounding boomtowns.
The town of Fort Peck itself was established in 1934 to house employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other contracted workers. Prior to this, the area had a history as a trading post, with Abe Farwell constructing the Fort Peck trading post along the Missouri River as early as 1867. The cemetery likely served the residents of this growing community, including those who came to work on the dam and their families.
The boomtowns surrounding Fort Peck, such as Wheeler, Midway, and Wilson, were characterized by makeshift housing and a vibrant, often chaotic, social scene. Life in these temporary settlements was a mix of hardship and opportunity, with workers enduring harsh conditions while contributing to a project of national significance. The cemetery would have been a final resting place for many who lived and died during this intense period of development, reflecting the diverse demographics and challenges of the era. The dam was completed by 1940, leading to the eventual decline and disappearance of many of these boomtowns, with structures either moved or razed.
While specific details about the cemetery's establishment date and current condition are not readily available through direct historical society records or dedicated cemetery websites, its existence is a testament to the community that formed around the Fort Peck Dam project. The cemetery continues to serve as a historical marker for the Valley County area, preserving the memory of those who contributed to its past.
Landscape and markers
The cemetery is a physical record of the harshness of the frontier. The dates carved into the markers tell a story of brief booms and sudden collapses, of winters that took the young and mining accidents that took the strong. To walk among these graves is to feel the immense weight of the past pressing down on the present landscape.
Who is buried here
The stones here tell the story of the settlement. The available records do not indicate individuals of widespread historical renown buried in Fort Peck Cemetery. However, the burial records from Genealogy Trails provide insight into the demographics of those interred: Mabel BadHawk (1903 - Jan. 22, 1911) - Died at age 8, indicating child mortality. Astrid Brown (Jul. 29, 1909 - Sep. 30, 1993) - Died in McCone, age 84. Dalton L. Brown (Dec. 13, 1908 - Jan. 20, 1993) - Died in Valley County, age 84. Ole Hagen (May 3, 1912 - Mar. 20, 1999) - Died at age 86. Wallace Leroy Johnson (unknown - Oct. 5, 2010). Thomas Rile Overley (Nov. 13, 1957 - Feb. 13, 2008) - Died at age 50. Tracy LeAnn Redstone (Apr. 10, 1969 - Nov. 24, 1990) - Resided in Yellowstone County, died in Valley County, age 21. Josephine Richardson (Mar. 17, 1911 - Jan. 17, 1994) - Died in Valley County, age 82. Marie Schaldack (May 13, 1925 - May 31, 2000) - Died in Valley County, age 75. Nickolai Clinton Schaldack (Jun. 19, 1918 - Jun. 14, 2005) - Died in Valley County, age 87. Jacqueline Schoenfelder (Jun. 18, 1931 - Jan. 24, 1998) - Died in Valley County, age 66. Eugene William Stein (Sep. 13, 1922 - Jun. 27, 1989) - Died in Valley County, age 66. Ruby Willis (Dec. 2, 1930 - Feb. 5, 2005) - Died in Yellowstone County, age 74. Earl Wimmer (1913 - Feb. 6, 2010) - Died at age 97. The presence of individuals with varying lifespans, including a child, suggests a community with diverse age groups. The mention of deaths in Valley County for many individuals indicates a local population served by the cemetery.
Visiting
Fort Peck Cemetery is located in Valley County, Montana, with coordinates approximately 48.00690, -106.46000. While specific road conditions for the cemetery itself are not detailed, the nearby Brandon ghost town area, also in Valley County, indicates that secondary roads can lead to dirt tracks, suggesting that access might require a high-clearance vehicle depending on the exact location and recent weather. The nearest town is Fort Peck, which is a small community. For further inquiries regarding visiting information, contact details for Fort Peck, Montana, such as the phone number (406) 526-3220, may be helpful. The cemetery is likely an open site, typical of many pioneer cemeteries, with no specified hours of operation. Visitors should expect a rural setting and potentially limited signage.