Yellowstone Kelly Grave Site

Keep Not Standing Fixed and Rooted, Briskly Venture, Briskly Roam...

By www.visitbillings.com

At the end of the summer in 2017 a promise 89-years in the making was finally fulfilled when the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site officially opened to the public. The restoration was led by the Billings Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Bill Cole.

In 1928 the Billings Chamber, City of Billings and State of Montana promised a burial site befitting the three-time veteran and American legend, Luther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly. While it took a bit longer than planned, the site today absolutely fulfills the promise.

Kelly (1849-1928) was one of the most notable American veterans, scouts, and warriors of his time. Born to an affluent family in upstate New York, Kelly obtained a fine education but yearned for the adventure of the Wild West. Sitting back and waiting was not part of Kelly’s character, so at the age of 16, Kelly lied about his age, enlisted in the military, and thus his adventures began.

Yellowstone Kelly was an authentic Western character. His real-life adventures inspired many articles, books and even a Hollywood movie. He was a scholar and author, a veteran of three wars, an exceptional hunter and trader, and a key player in scouting and taming the Wild West. His friends and confidants included the likes of Col. Nelson A. Miles, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and President Teddy Roosevelt. His travels and military assignments took him from New York to the Dakotas and Montana, and from Alaska to the Philippines before retiring to a quieter life in California.

In his twilight years, Luther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly requested to have his body buried in the land where his restless spirit had experienced its greatest adventures, stating “I feel my body will rest better in Montana, the scene of my earlier activities, than it would in the vastness of Arlington, where I purposed having it laid.”

Thanks to the tireless work of the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site Committee, major gifts from Singh Contracting and Phillips 66 as well as the investment of many incredible sponsors and donors, the new Interpretive Site opened within Swords Rimrock Park in September of 2017. Here Yellowstone Kelly rests peacefully atop Kelly Mountain in Billings, overlooking the Yellowstone River. The Site celebrates the history not only of Yellowstone Kelly, but of the heritage of our region. It offers ample parking, an amphitheater for seating during presentations, informational signage, a celebratory donor wall and, of course, the breathtaking views only found from the Rimrocks.

To get to the site, head to Swords Rimrock Park, east of Billings Logan International Airport. The park has two entrances; one near the airport roundabout and another about a mile east on Airport Rd. A paved trail system connects the two entrances and the entire park provides spectacular vistas. The Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site is located at the east end of Swords Rimrock Park. Take the second entrance to the park, near the bathroom and picnic shelter. At the stop sign, turn left and follow the road slowly up the mountain to the parking area. The site can be enjoyed on foot.

Learn more at www.YellowstoneKelly.org.