Armstead is a former community in Beaverhead County, Montana, United States, about 21 miles (34 km) south of the county seat of Dillon. It was named after miner Harry Armstead.[2] Armstead was located in a narrow valley of the Beaverhead River, near the mouth of Horse Prairie Creek. The town was a station stop on the Union Pacific Railroad line from Idaho Falls, Idaho to Butte, Montana. There was a post office in Armstead from 1907 to 1962.

Armstead
Armstead is located in Montana
Armstead
Armstead
Location of Armstead in Montana
Coordinates: 44°58′21″N 112°51′51″W / 44.97250°N 112.86417°W / 44.97250; -112.86417[1]
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyBeaverhead
Established1907
Abandoned1962
Named forHarry Armstead
Elevation5,545 ft (1,690 m)

Armstead is perhaps best remembered as the eastern terminus and headquarters of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad, which operated a line from there to Salmon, Idaho between 1910 and 1939.

The Lewis and Clark expedition traveled past the future location of Armstead during its westward trek in 1805.[3]

The construction of Clark Canyon Dam in 1961–1964 created a reservoir that completely inundated the former site of Armstead. The town was still a viable community when the decision to build the dam was made. Because of this, some people do not categorize Armstead as being a ghost town. When the water level is low enough parts of the old highway, railroad, and even some building foundations are still visible.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Armstead, Montana
  2. ^ "Montana History: Place Names (A-B)". Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Fanselow, Julie (1 May 2003). Traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail. Globe Pequot Press. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-7627-2589-2.