Grass Range is a tiny community near the geographical center of Montana. Its population lingers at around residents, per census data, and if you blink twice as you pass through, you might miss this quaint town on the outskirts of Hwy Occasionally, we might stop to stretch our legs, take a bathroom break, or grab a quick snack at the gas station, but usually, we zoom right by.
Last week, we made plans to meet my stepdaughter and her fiancee in Grass Range to deliver a spotted gecko that we acquired for her here in Billings. They live in Havre, and Grass Range is somewhat of a "halfway" point. We met them at the Ole' Mercantile, one of two gas stations in Grass Range.
After handing off the gecko and chatting for a little bit, they took off for their return trip to Havre, and we spent a few minutes poking around the town. However, once you step inside, this shop is full of unique merchandise. It's part hardware store, part department store, a little bit of a grocery store, and one heck of a gift shop. Grass Range doesn't offer much in the line of retail, and it became apparent after wandering around the store for a moment that the Ole' Mercantile is essentially the main shopping center in Grass Range.
Most folk probably head to Lewistown or make the minute trip to Billings for more extensive shopping, but for necessities in Grass Range the Ole' Merc seems to be the spot. We drove around the town for a little bit, hoping to stumble across something - anything - interesting, and didn't find much. Somehow we missed the Post Office, which has been operating in Grass Range since the s. A prominent feature in Grass Range, MT, is the old wooden grain elevator and its associated buildings.
I could imagine the hustle and bustle that surely surrounded the property during its heyday. Probably not. Like many small, eastern Montana communities, it seems to be hanging on by a thread. However, the Ole' Mercantile is worth a visit next time you're passing through. Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll. Michael Foth Published: February 3, Share on Facebook Share on Twitter.
