History

  In July 1806 Meriwether Lewis and his party were the first recorded white men in the area. Captain Lewis writes of his scrimmage with a tribe of Indian (probably Piegans or Blackfeet) along the Marias River. 

  Following the Lewis and Clark Expedition, fur trappers, hardy adventurers, and a few prospectors came, and in the 1880’s large cattle and sheep ranches were established. 

  Between 1910 and 1918 two homestead acts brought many settlers to the area. Homesteader “shacks” appeared on virtually every quarter or half-section as people swarmed into the newly opened territory to “prove-up” on their acres. Many who came went broke, perished in drought, or froze in long, cold winters. Others stuck out the hardships and formed the basis for the modern mechanized farming economy prevalent in this area today. 

  Liberty County was created from sections of Chouteau and Hill counties in 1919 when 72% of the voters in the area voted for the proposition. At this same election Chester was chosen as the county seat. Liberty County became the first county formed after World War I.

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