P a g e 3 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r Gold discoveries in Maiden and the Little Rockies increased interest in Rocky Point as a landing point for the mill machinery coming upriver by boat. During low-water periods, many larger boats bound for Fort Benton were forced to unload here. Their cargoes were then freighted overland, picked up by smaller boats or stored until the next highwater season. Rocky Point also received cargo en route to Fort Maginnis and Fort Assiniboine, the last two forts built in Montana. A detachment of 19 men was sent to Rocky Point to guard government shipments en route to Fort Maginnis. In 1882, a military telegraph line was completed from Fort Buford, North Dakota, to Fort Maginnis, via Rocky Point where an office was established. In 1885, Rocky Point/Wilder had grown to include one store, one hotel, one feed stable, two saloons, a blacksmith shop and the ferry crossing. M. F. Marsh ran the hotel and one of the bars that reportedly was a haven for horse thieves and cattle rusWilder Ferry at Rocky Point/Wilder, Montana, (first location) transporting Malta Stage en route to Fort Maginnis -- before 1890 tlers. Newspaper reports indicate that Kid Curry worked for Marsh at this saloon for a time and later built a log cabin near Rocky Point where he and brother Loney dispensed alcohol. In 1886, Wilder became a post office and served as a polling place for area residents. That same year, 53 votes were cast in the general election from Wilder. In 1888, Marsh’s saloon burned down and he moved his business to a nearby rental building. In 1889, Montana became a state and all of the Chouteau County land south of the Missouri River was traded to Fergus County for $2,500 and Wilder became part of Fergus County. As the century ended, Rocky Point remained an active river crossing with an operating post office, store, saloon and ferry. The ferry served the Goslin Stage Line which ran three stage coaches on the north/south route via Wilder, carrying passengers between Malta and Fort Maginnis, Flatwillow or to the railroad at Junction City (now known as Custer). In 1907, Elmer Turner took over the store and post office at Wilder. He also bought the ferry and maintained it until 1929, when he used the wood to build a log shop. Elmer lived there until 1935, Wilder Saloon at Rocky Point/Wilder, Montana; Milton F. Marsh, Proprietor -- 1885 Broadwater Trading Post at Rocky Point/Wilder (first location) -- 1966
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