Montana has haunted mansions, haunted hotels, and even a few haunted bars... but a haunted battlefield? If you believe the hype, you might experience more than a somber history lesson at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Crow Agency. Legend has it that this spot is a hub for paranormal activity.
The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument sits tucked away in Southeast Montana about an hour east of Billings.
If you don't live in this part of the state, it's easy to forget it's there... but this spot played a significant role in our history.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was fought in June of 1876, 13 years before Montana became a state.
The battle pitted federal troops led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer against a large group of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.
Tensions between the tribes and Custer's group had bee escalating since the discovery of gold on Native American lands.
When the tribes missed a federal deadline to move to reservations, the U.S. Army (including Custer) confronted them. Of course, Custer was unaware of the number of Native Americans fighting under the command of Sitting Bull, and he was overwhelmed. Custer and many other men lost their lives in the battle, which is now known as Custer's Last Stand.
These days, the battlefield is a national monument that's open to the public.
Guests can tour the area and listen to a free cell phone audio tour along the way, or simply walk through and take some time for quiet reflection.
Of course, since a lot of anguish and death took place here, it comes as no surprise that the battlefield is rumored to be haunted.
Visitors and employees have reported hearing strange noises and some have even seen full-on apparitions of soldiers after dark.
Some of the most harrowing ghost stories come from the Stone House, which was built in 1894 for the cemetery caretakers to use.
Many involve lights being turned on and off when no one inside, even in the dead of winter when the snow on the ground would give anyone away. One of the early government workers who stayed here spoke of seeing a terrible apparition - the torso of a solider without a head or legs.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there's no doubt that this monument is a haunting place.
Still, every Montanan should visit, if nothing else to learn from our past mistakes.
Address: I-90 Frontage Road, Crow Agency, MT, 59022
Have you ever toured this legendary local spot? Here are a few more attractions you'll only find here in the Treasure State.
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