Historic Ennis
When you think “Wild West”, you have Ennis, Montana in mind. While there’s no longer much danger of a gunfight breaking out in the street, this cowboy town hasn’t changed much in character since the 1860’s. In fact, some of the hitching posts still exist just in case a cowboy rides in on Friday night for a beer and camaraderie at one of the local saloons.

Ennis and the neighboring area are immersed in “Old West” lore and historic sites. Prior to the arrival of the white man, Shoshone, Flathead, Blackfoot and Bannack Indians hunted these valleys and mountains. In 1805, Lewis and Clark found their way into the Madison Valley, naming many of the surrounding points of interest. Just outside town, one can see the old Bridger Trail of “Westward Ho” fame, which carried pioneers and their Conestoga wagons west.

A stone’s throw from the famous Madison River, Ennis was founded two months after gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in 1863 (by William Ennis, who as legend has it, was killed in a gun fight in Virginia City). Today, although the architecture of Ennis still reflects that bygone era, the buildings now house professional art galleries such as Hole in the Wall Gallery, fine eating and drinking establishments like the Silver Dollar, Longbranch and the five-star Continental Divide, upscale western boutiques and top-of-the-line fishing outfitters. The town has maintained its charm because the town fathers treasure the quality of life that has been preserved here. We like to say that Ennis has everything that you need – and nothing that you don’t.