This is a free web site for the genealogy of Custer County, MT. MTGenWeb is the state web site and USGenWeb is the national web site that includes all the states.

The Custer County Seat is Miles City. County name was originally Big Horn. In 1877 was renamed to Custer after Gen. George A. Custer. Custer county is in the southeast section of Montana. Neighboring counties are Carter, Fallon, Powder River, Prairie and Rosebud.

As of 2000, the population is 11,696. As of the census of 2000, there are 11,696 people, 4,768 households, and 3,089 families residing in the county.

Cities and towns

• Ismay
• Miles City is a city located in Custer County, Montana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,487. It is the county seat of Custer County⁶.

Miles City (Community Web Site)

The Miles City Star (Local Newspaper)

The Miles City Public Library

Be sure to check out the Resources button near the top of the page to locate such things as the Custer County Mail List, Message Board, and much more.

Maps and aerial photos

After the Custer Massacre in 1876, the US Military created forts in eastern Montana including one where the north-flowing Tongue river flowed into the east-flowing Yellowstone river. Fort Keogh (named after one of the massacre victims) started as a few rough winter cabins, but grew into a moderate sized western fort, from which its commander, Nelson Miles, effectively brought the remaining "uncontrolled" native Americans into subjuctation during the last decade of the 1800s. At first the camp followers referred to the makeshift village as "Milestown", but popular usage (perhaps more accurately "self-promotion") turned it to "Miles City". Livestock speculation brought thousands of cattle to the open ranges in the late 1880s, the railroad was extended through the area, and Texas drove numerous cattle to Miles City to fatten them on free grass and move them to where they could be loaded on trains bound for the slaughterhouses in Chicago. Miles City experienced rapid growth until the 1920s and 1930s, but became overshadowed by the upstart upriver Billing