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About our Town

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Winnett is a town in Montana and the county seat of Petroleum County, Montana, with a population of approximately 200 in Winnett and around 500 in the entire county. 

Winnett was named for Walter John Winnett, who was born at the Queen's Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Winnett ran away from home as a boy, seeking adventure in "Indian country." His excellent marksmanship abilities helped him get jobs with outfits that were always looking for someone who could keep them in fresh meat. When he was captured by Sioux Indians and later adopted into the tribe, he was given the name Eagle Eyes because of his remarkable shooting skills.

 

Winnett established a ranch in Montana Territory in 1879 near an active trading post and the Hangman's Tree used by vigilantes in the area. The massive ranch house, which he built in 1900 housed his own family and served as a gathering place for the community. Dances, weddings, funerals, church services, and school were all held here. Billings was the closest town, so Winnett built up a freight line business to haul supplies. Each of his outfits consisted of ten to twenty horses and huge wagons. In 1910 he built a store and petitioned for a post office.  Ref: Winnett, Montana - Wikipedia

 

The Benefits of living in Winnett, Montana

Winnett is an affordable place to live in comparison to many other places in Montana, let alone the entire USA. Every place is within walking distance and the crime rate is very low.  Your neighbors are friendly and the area is close to nature.  There are many lakes and Rivers nearby including Petrolia Lake (13 miles away), Crooked Creek (35 Miles), and the Musselshell River (20 miles).  The town of Winnett is the County Seat of Petroleum County and has a nice Class C K-12 School, Post Office, Many Churches, Winnett Bar & Grill, General Grocery & Hardware Store, Liquor Store, Community Center, Youth Program, Community Pool, and soon to be "55 Main" multipurpose building that will offer coffee, deli, etc., and will have a pay-per-use laundry/Shower/bathroom facilities for folks traveling through. As for housing, there are many places being put in for rent/purchase, as well as several AirBnBs/Vacation Rentals in Winnett and the surrounding areas.

Get Involved in a Volunteer Program

There are many Volunteer groups to get involved in, including the local Fire Department, Ambulance, School, Partners in Education, 4H, Winnett ACES, Petroleum County Community Center, Youth Program, Search & Rescue, Rodeo Club, and Community Enhancement Committee.

Community Happenings

There is always plenty to do in Winnett...

  • Sporting Events        

  • Poker Run

  • Pasture Golf

  • Christmas Stroll

  • Community Plays

  • Hunting & Fishing Derbies

  • Boating

  • Adult/Rural Education

  • Open Gym

  • BINGO

  • Hunting & Fishing

  • Community Pool

  • Rodeo Grounds events

  • Booster Bash

Recreation, Hunting
& Day Trips

...and in the Surrounding Area:

  • Yellow Water Reservour     

  • Slippery Ann Viewing Area

  • Petrolia Reservour

  • Crooked Creek

  • Musselshell River

  • Area Hiking, Fishing, Hunting

  • Fort Peck Museum/Theater (2.5 miles drive)

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