I lived in Miles City in the early 70's. On many a Friday or Saturday we would go the Cross Roads Inn for dinner and order the Prime Rib. I have not be able to find any restaurant that could come close to match the flavor of the Cross Road end cut of Prime Rib. Does any one have the recipe they used?

I too have some greeat memories of the Crossroads. Grandpa & Grandma use to take us out there every year before they left in the winter for Arizona.
The food was really good. I don't know if it was the best but it wouldn't take long to called the roll. Chances R in York, NE and the Prime Rib here in Gillette are right up there.

Probably only Loyd or Francie Mackin would have the recipe they used in the prime rib.

I don't know if the food was as good as I remember it but what a place it was. As long as I can recall the family went to the crossroads every Sun. for the chuck wagon buffet. Then my grandmother would make me dance with her to the live music. I was responsible for the chits for the coat check. My Grandfather would give me a half dollar to tip the check girl when I retrieved the coats.

It was a wonderful place I think I can remember almost every Sunday from the early sixties until in was burn down in the early eighties (I think). The place was a one of a kind establishment and I still miss it today.

I too remember spending many a night eating with my family at the Crossroads and having the buffet. I had more grenadine sundaes and Shirley Temples there than I can count. I learned how to dance there and at the Red Rock with my dad Lyman Choate. One funny memory is when we were helping the relatives clean out the big house next to ours after their grandpa an old widower had died.He was known to hide money and other things. He didn't believe in banks so we discovered money in walls, furniture..you name it. Well, he and his wife frequented the Crossroads buffet on Sundays and he would fill his suit jacket with food to bring home. We found a petrified fried chicken leg in one pocket no doubt from the buffet!

I still remember the phone number for the Crossroads and the Red Rock-I called my parents to find out when they were coming homeGreat food and memories!

Chris

Oh, do I remember the great food at the Crossroads. My mother & father-in-law always took us out when we would come back for a vacation. The Prime Rib was cut in different sizes- I remember one was normal and the big one was called the cattleman's cut. Also I remember the good shrimp snacks they had - for only $1.00 and it was a platter full of big prawns. All the food was delicious and always the dancing was great. Such a shame to have lost the place -
Betty O'Brien

Chris said:"I still remember the phone number for the Crossroads and the Red Rock-I called my parents to find out when they were coming home"

Just a hunch, did your calling have anything to do with you and Diane Z doing somethings that you didn't want your folks to find out about? Those stories would be really interesting.

I heard this story just last week from Kathy Olson, who used to teach at Sacred Heart in the 70's and now works for me in Billings. She recently went to Ireland, and was just getting ready to kiss the Blarney Stone when she caught sight of a Montana Grizzlies sweatshirt. She struck up a conversation with the man, who was from Pakistan. Turns out he was a professor and had done a stint in Missoula years and years ago. They were talking about all the places Kathy had taught in Montana, and when she said Miles City, his first response was, "Miles City? Is the Crossroads Inn still there?"

Small world.

Wow, it is a small world! Kathy's husband Don was my 7th grade social studies teacher.

[This message has been edited by Richard Bonine, Jr (edited 1/4/2005).]

Now Richard,
Do you really think Diane (Zee) and I would get into any trouble?? It was probably us along with Toni Wilhelm! You know us Sacred Heart kids were responsible right Richard?

Good memories!

Chris

Looking back on those times as an adult, I think we were better behaved than the teachers! The one exception might be the period of time when the Grape Crush section of the pop machine was filled with Coors Light. If only Sister Kathleen didn't drink Grape Crush...

Hi Richard,
I think I remember that story about the Coors Light! I had forgotten and you just made me crack up! How is Martha doing? Sure wish you all well and hope your new year is filled with great things.

Chris

rebuild the Crossroads Inn on top of Carbon Hill

The Crossroads Inn would still be there if a banker didn't over extend the loan on the business. There was no way to get out from under the loan so I guess desperation led to the fire. It is a real shame. Many wonderful memories of the place. I still have some photos from there.

And then shortly afterwards the bankers wife builds a car-wash. Talk about laundering money.

Maybe the banker could take some money and rebuilt the Crossroads on it's original space. If only justice were so.

Chris - my 96 year old uncle Webb Hall was reminiscing last night about his old friend Lyman Choate in Miles City. Webb, Lyman, Charlie Peck and Clarence Werle (not sure of this spelling) were friends in the 1930s. Webb and Lyman owned a small airplane together and had some adventures. I have some lovely pictures of these handsome young men.

So on a whim I decided to Google Lyman Choate. That's how I found the Miles City bulletin board.

My grandparents, Evan and Aline Hall lived in Miles City where he was the Agricultural Extension Agent, I think. Webb and my mother, Susan, lived there with them. Webb worked for the bank. I don't have the exact years at hand right now.

I'm guessing that the Lyman you mention in your Cross Roads Inn message might be a son of the Lyman Webb knew. What can you tell me about Lyman that I can pass along to Uncle Webb?

Thanks.
Susan in Salem OR

Susan, another example of a small world...

My wife and I moved from Miles City to Eugene, Oregon. I spent a lot of time in Salem doing shows (musician), fair, home-shows, etc. pretty much every month (98-2001). We're in Des Moines now.

/tag/ someone else is "it" for the small-world game.


Oh, and the Crossroads... I remember the rotating pie case, for some odd reason. lol - probably because I was young when it was still open.

[This message has been edited by Dan Mowry (edited 10/30/2006).]

Hi Susan,
It was so great to read your message. My dad was Lyman Watts Choate who passed away in 1986 of a massive heart attack in his sleep. He had just retired from crop dusting (which he loved to do and of course he had a great love of flying). I remember him talking about Webb, Charlie, and Clarence on many occasions and reminiscing about their fun they had together. It is ironic because I brought some old pictures to work today to show some friends and one was of my parents. My mom was Laurie Choate and she passed away in 1998. Please send my best to Webb and I would love to see the picture you have of the friends together. Maybe you could email it to me? I live in Phoenix now but will be taking my kids home to Miles City for their first white Christmas this year and my first year back for the Christmas holiday too. Thank you for writing and sharing this with me. It warms my heart. Best wishes to you and your family too.

My email is [email protected]

Thank You,
Chris

Chris - I am so pleased to make this connection. Webb will be delighted. He thinks this Internet thing is more than amazing. I've been searching for postings about Spearfish and Miles City, his two fondest memories on earth.

I'm sorry to learn that Lyman passed away. I'm not sure when Webb saw him last -- I think in the 1970's when Webb and Maggie drove out to Mitchell SD from Hemet CA to see his folks. They made a stop in Miles City. Lyman took them to dinner at the Crossroads. Sounds like that place is FULL of stories and memories.

I will pass along your greetings to Webb. And I'll work on getting copies of these photos to you. Be patient. I'm up to my ears in alligators right now.

Enjoy that white Christmas in Miles City. As for me, I'm settled in Oregon after long winters in Montana, Washington,and Wyoming. I'm please say I don't own a snow shovel.

I have a good friend (we met in first grade in Deer Lodge 53 years ago)who lives in Peoria. Are you anywhere near there?

Take care. Thank you so much for being in touch.

Susan Hughs
Salem OR

If that had happened in my time the beer would have been "Great Falls Select", the best of the best of all beers ever brewed! Well, American beers that is..

Thanks for writing and for working on the pictures. No hurry at all. I live in Glendale which is a part of greater Phoenix and next to Peoria. Let me know if I can help you with anything with your friend. Happy Halloween!

Chris

Hi, Dan

Do you still live in Eugene? I was born and raised in Miles City and moved to Eugene about 20 years ago. My maiden name was Potter.

Small world...

LaRae Potter Weikert

LaRae,

Wow - the world just got even smaller!

No, we opted for tornados instead of rain and are living in Des Moines, Iowa right now.

We moved from MC in 98 and left for Des Moines in 2001. I loved Eugene. It was more the fact the State went #1 in unemployment that year and my wife and I wanted to start our own family (two children now) and be closer to my family - so we moved.

We miss it a LOT... and our little corner of the town over in the Sheldon Park area.

I wish I'd known our shared hometown then... we could have had coffee at one of the 500 Starbucks and talked about home. I was a teenager, though, when you left, though. But, some things probably never change in a small town.

[This message has been edited by Dan Mowry (edited 11/1/2006).]

I just came across this site and how neat it was to find the discussion on the Crossroads! As for the recipe for the prime rib, the same that was served years later at the Miles City Club, I doubt you'll ever get it. My aunt and uncle, Lloyd and Francie Mackin, had the Crossroads for years, even employing my Mom (Myrtle) and aunt, Lois McRae for years. They later went on to the Miles City Club, where the same fabulous food was served. If you wonder about the lack of good food in MC, it's because nobody is willing or able to afford to make the food from scratch as Francie did. That was the real secret behind the food! It was a sad day when the Crossroads burned! One of the many treasured pieces of MC history lost the past few decades!

Kevin: What became of your cousin Winona?

Hey Kevin,
It's been long time...are you still in Billings??
Carol (Roos) Bean

Winona is in Billings. Married with 3 kids. Still looks about the same as she did in Miles! LOL! Married Aaron Ramage after school and they're still goin strong!

This is a great thread. I was born and raised in Miles City and left in 1985 after graduation but I too can still remember the Crossroads and the Red Rock. That was where I first learned to dance. We always had the Senior Banquets there too. I live in Avon, SD now and havent been back in 14 years. I was just telling my daughter last night that I would just about give anything for an Airport Inn pizza.

Lisa,
The Airport Inn has shipped out frozen fingersteaks and sauce to Michigan before. Call Martha at 2349917 and see if she can set you up.

Bless you. I think I will do that.
Are you the Roxi I went to school with?

Whatever happened to Lloyd and Francie Mackin?

Nancy,

Being their nephew, I still am in close contact with them. After the Crossroads, Lloyd and Francie took over the Miles City Club. They had it when it was in the bank building on the top floor where the 519 Club is now and also when it was next to the depot where Cattle-AC is now. They got out of it sometime in the mid-80's and Lloyd is now retired. Francie works at the V.A. now. My other aunt, Lois who worked with them works at the V.A. also. My mom, Myrtle also worked there and has been at the 4B's in Miles for 27 years now! Guess food is definitely in the family blood, as I work for Chili's in Wyoming.

Growing up with the Crossroads and Miles City Club, I definitely miss the fabulous food they provided and even more than that, the service! They were a tough couple to beat in Miles City!

Kevin Brown

First, I am wondering if you are the son of Mike Brown? If so, your grandparents and great-grandparents were associated with my father, George Raymond, in the Midland Lumber Company.
I came across your name and article in regard to the Crossroads because in a couple of weeks there will be an all-50's class reunion of Custer, Sacred Heart as well as Ismay. The Saturday night buffet is to be something like the old Sunday night buffets at the Crossroads. Like you wrote, the food at the Crossroads was fantastic because of the care and time that Francie, Myrtle, etc devoted in preparing it. They also had a talent for 'presentation." One of my former classmates, Jane Watson Eichar, is preparing the programs for the event and one of the questions that came up is "When did the Crossroads begin?" No one seems to know for sure. I feel very sure that Myrtle or her family would know that. If so, would you kindly let me know.

Helen Raymond Lucas

Helen,

Yes, you have the right family! My family "tradition" with the Midland ended with my Dad, Mike Brown. He was the last generation of Browns to work there. As for when the Crossroads began, I'm not sure. Your best bet to find out would be to contact my Aunt, Francie Mackin. She is in the phonebook or on DexKnows.com if you're not in MC anymore. She and Lloyd had if for MANY years. I hope this helps out. Would love to hear more from you with any family histories, stories of the Midland, etc.

Thanks and best of luck with the reunion! My Dad, Mike might be able to help with info too. He graduated in '58 and was VERY involved in the community.

--Kevin

Helen
The story I was told in the 70's, that the Crossroads was built during WWII by Ed Love for his daughters Marnie and Dorie, so they would have a place to dance. Ed Love owned, Love motors at the time. The story went on that the celing in the Crossroads was never finished, because they couldn't get the materials to finish it because of the war.
Are you the Helen Lucas that was active in the Republican womens club in the 70's?

I delivered chickens to the crossroads in 1946. My dad ran a chicken farm on 1520 north daly street. My dad hauled lumber to the Lion Park about 1939.

Dr. Jacobson
It is my understanding that the Crossroads was finished in 1941. As we all know it was built out of solid lodge pole pine,
What a beautiful building.
Gene Larson did a pencil sketch, for Bob Koehler in the late 70's.

I just talked with a lady who knows the recipe. She said it works best with a whole prime rib (especially with the bone attached) but can be scaled down to a family size.

Preheat oven to 500

Inject the meat with Worstershire Sauce
Generously Rub Season Salt (Or a no salt version if needed)

Put Meat in for 1/2 hour at 500 then drop to 300 and cook till desired


Gladys didn't say anything about covering it or anything, that was all I got. Aren't family get togethers great!

Jen

While remembering that I've given Mom all these menus- I need to take it out of the frame and get front and back shots one of these days. eBay is bad.

Man, I wish you could STILL buy a NY Strip for $6.95.

It was fifty years ago this month that Lloyd and Francie Macklin took over the old girl.

Better prices for Richard, from the crown jewel of the menus that Mom didn't know she collects.

Another that I'll have to take out of the frame and scan for better pictures one of these days. Can barely make out the mimeographed page even when holding it in your hands.

My Dad's Mom had an even older one from there, but I don't know what's happened to it.

Jazz Bracer for 15 cents!

It might take a bit of research but, if it's the cocktail variant I'm thinking it might be, it's a bit of a Sidecar offspring. Gin, Creme de Cassis, and probably lime juice (heaven forbid Rose's).

NY Strip steak... man, what I wouldn't give for one of those at those prices!