Library of Congress > Photos, Prints, Drawings > Miles City, MT

https://www.loc.gov/photo...lery&c=160

Prett cool, Hal, Thanks.

What's the story behind the Port of Entry station? I have never heard of that.

It's almost as if our ancestors treated North Dakotans like Trump would treat Mexicans.

I was wondering that same thing, Gunnar. Anyone know where this "port of entry station" was located?

Perhaps near the intersection of U.S. Highways 10 & 12 east of Miles City (in the vicinity of the old Crossroads Inn)?

Didn't there used to be a weigh station in that area? Is it still there?

I assumed (and that’s risky) that it was weigh station. In the 30s it could also have been a referral / resource center for the economic refugees who were passing through. If it was the same in Miles as many other communities, these folks were encourage to move on down the road.

I also thought it could be an ag inspection station, but if you were inspecting ag products coming into the state it would make more sense to do that nearer to the borders.

Gunnar, give Jon Axline a call. He’s a historian with cultural resources crew at MT DOT – he’d likely have an answer.
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt...nvir.shtml

David, I think you are right – the Y at Highways 10 & 12.

Today they are called weigh stations or check stations. Some States still have Port of Entry, usually enforced by the State Police (Patrol). Seeing as how one of the original purposes of a federal government was the regulation of interstate trade, I can see why they would call them a "port of entry" on US highways.

Chamber of Commerce hired a couple of guys to work out there during the tourist season, giving directions and what all. That was in pre-Interstate days, needless to say. They had a tourist info booth of sorts at the Range Riders Museum parking lot for a year or two but that faded away.

They weren't inspecting the iternant North Dakota migrants for lice, venereal disease, or similar afflictions? I am somewhat surprised.

Somewhat off topic I suppose for this thread, but...
Was looking at some old Miles City post cards and found a few that pictured a power plant in Miles City, I wasn't aware such a thing existed. From the picture it looked like it was at the current VA facility, the large physical plant near the track. Anyone know if that is where it was/is? Thanks-

It was located on Bridge St. between S. 8th and S. 9th Streets.

Is that where the current MDU building and lot is?

Yes, I believe that's correct, Tim. The brick building on the right in the picture must be the old Miles City Laundry building.

There's an old thread here that discusses the MDU complex. Many of the links are broken – but it’s worth looking at if you are curious about the facility.
https://milescity.com/for...view/32706









[Edited by Hal Neumann (3/9/2016 10:40:50 AM)]

The Port of Entry photos appear to be on Valley Drive and it was operated by the Montana Highway Department (blurry fine print on the bottom of the sign). The tracks, grade and skyline in the photo match. The location was directly across the road from where the old Red Rock Sporting goods was, I think the floor of the office is still there, along with a concrete driveway in front of it (apparently added sometime after the photo). Check google earth/maps, probably shows up. Another possibility is directly across the road from the USDA building a couple hundred yards further.