In 1874 Eddy and Maggie Ferris were married in Corinne, Utah. Originally from northern New York, Eddy Franklin Ferris was a partner of Sebree, Ferris, and White; bankers and dealers in hardware and agricultural implements. Ferris's business followed the construction route of the Utah and Northern Railroad. The business required frequent moves along the construction line. In 1880 the couple moved to Red Rock (Present-day Dillon) in hopes of settling down. However, both the climate and the environment for permanent settlement was not to their liking and the couple moved to Bozeman in 1882. Once in Bozeman, Eddy Ferris opened a store and built the Bon Ton Building. In the 1890's Eddy's brother, E. Myron Ferris moved into the area and eventually purchased the Matthews Hot Springs. Ferris built onto the property and for several years owned and operated the Ferris Hot Springs Hotel. In 1908 Eddy Ferris died.
The Ferris Family records include, guest ledgers for the Ferris Hot Springs Hotel, legal and financial documents pertaining to real estate and the Ferris store in Utah, transcribed correspondence written by Maggie Ferris to her mother and sister, promotional brochures for Ferris Hot Springs and the Gallatin Valley, and photographs of Ferris family members and friends.
Series 1 Ferris Hot Springs Hotel Guest ledgers, 1891-1894
Series 2 Financial Documents, 1880-1902
Series 3 Printed Material, 1892-1926
Series 4 Correspondence, 1874-1882
Series 5 Photographs
This collection is open for research.
This collection of Ferris family records incorporates accession numbers 29, 403, and 2189. Accession number 29 was donated by Dorothy Ferris Ellerd and Elizabeth Ferris Purdum. In 1966 Mrs. Jack Lovelace donated accession number 403, the letters of Margaret Ferris and the Museum of the Rockies transferred accession number 2189 to Special Collections in 1985. An additional ledger was donated by Mrs. Sally Mournian July 21, 2018.
This collection was processed 2008 December 12
Ledgers listing names of individual registrants at the Ferris Hot Springs Hotel. Information includes residence of the registrant and date
Homestead land deeds for individuals other than members of the Ferris family; a receipt from Ferris business in Utah; typewritten list of purchasers of tracts of land at the Ferris Hot Springs. Information includes name of purchaser, occupation, and residence.
Various promotional brochures for land sales and tourism in the Gallatin Valley and Montana. Series also includes memorial program for Eddy Frankiln Ferris funeral.
Includes: "Ferris' Hot Springs: The Carlsbad of America (1892)," "On the Yellowstone Trail, Where to Spend Your Vacation," Bozeman, Montana Illustrated," "Bozeman in the Rockies," and "A Summer in the Gallatin."
Includes: "Facts About Montana (1926)," "The Famous Gallatin Valley in Gallatin County Montana," and "Bozeman the Beautiful."
Typed transcript copies of letters written by Maggie Ferris from originals owned by Mrs. Jack Lovelace of Bozeman, Montana. Letters were primarily written to Maggie's mother and sister and describe her frequent moves to various towns throughout the west, her impression of these towns, and family news.
Copy prints of original photographs of the Ferris family and friends and Ferris Hot Springs. Photograph 1 is of E. Myron Ferris, Mrs. Lamme, Katherine Ferris, Mrs. Ferris and sister. Photographs 2 and 3 are of E. Myron Ferris. Photographs 4 and 5 are of a walk way on the property of the Ferris Hot Springs. Photographs 6 and 7 are of various people at Chisholm's Camp at Hyalite. Photograph 8 shows an outdoor gathering with Mr. and Mrs. E. Myron Ferris and friends. Photograph 9 is a portrait of Maggie and Eddy Ferris. Photograph 10 is a portrait of Margaret Ferris and photograph 11 is a portrait of Eddy F. Ferris.
(six copies)