Melstone, MT

Melstone is a town in Musselshell County, Montana, United States. The 2020 census counted 126 residents. The town was established in 1908 as a base for operating crews on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, then under construction in Montana. Although the railroad was abandoned in 1980, Melstone survives as a community center for farmers and ranchers in the lower Musselshell River valley. Melstone Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Melstone High School's team name is the Broncs. A newcomer can read Melstone through the overlap of its older landmarks, surrounding geography, and current places.

For a newcomer, Melstone comes into focus through those concrete links among its past, landscape, and current routines. Melstone was named for Melvin Stone, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Melstone is located on the north side of the Musselshell River valley in eastern Musselshell County, about 2 miles west of the Rosebud County line. U.S. Route 12 passes through the town, leading west-southwest 35 miles to Roundup, the Musselshell county seat, and southeast 67 miles to Forsyth.