MZFCollection0992.xml Guide to the Bozeman Claim Association Minutes1864-1865 Bozeman Claim Association Minutes Kim Allen Scott, 2013 Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections P.O. Box 173320 Bozeman, MT 59717-3320 United States Phone (406) 994-4242 Fax (406) 994-2851 http://www.lib.montana.edu/archives/ University Archivist spcoll@www.lib.montana.edu
Finding aid written in English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard) Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320 Bozeman, MT 59717-3320 United States Phone (406) 994-4242 Fax (406) 994-2851 http://www.lib.montana.edu/archives/ University Archivist spcoll@www.lib.montana.edu
Collection 0992, MtBC, us Bozeman Claim Association Bozeman Claim Association Minutes 1864-1865 1 folder The Bozeman Claim Association Minutes consist of photocopies of several pages torn from a bound notebook with transactions of the group recorded over the span of five meetings from August 9, 1864 to February 11, 1865. Items represented include the initial surveying boundaries, a failed motion to change the name of the town to "Montana City," the establishment of fees and procedures for making land claims, and election of the group's officers. The minutes were transcribed by William W. Alderson. Collection materials are in English Biographical Note

The town of Bozeman, Montana had its origins in a camp area known as "Jacob's Crossings" along the Bozeman Trail route to the gold fields of Virginia City. John Bozeman, with Daniel Rouse and William J. Beall platted the town in the eastern portion of the Gallatin Valley in the summer of 1864. These men, along with William W. Alderson and several others met and formed a claim association for the purpose of regulating the recording of town lots on August 9, and the town grew steadily from that day forward. Today Bozeman is the seat of Gallatin County and the home of Montana State University.

The Bozeman Claim Association minutes consist of photocopies of several pages torn from a bound notebook with transactions of the group recorded over the span of five meetings from August 9, 1864 to February 11, 1865. Among the business of the association represented are the initial surveying boundaries, a failed motion to change the name of the town to "Montana City," the establishment of fees and procedures for making land claims, and election of the group's officers. The minutes were apparently transcribed by William W. Alderson and all recorded sessions bear his handwriting.

This collection is open for research.

The original minutes of the Bozeman Claim Association were given by Mrs. Ted Alderson of Seattle Washington to Dr. Merrill G. Burlingame on January 30, 1984. Burlingame made several copies of the minutes prior to temporarily depositing the originals at the Montana State University Library Special Collections. Sometime during the later 1980s, Burlingame withdrew the original minutes and donated them to the Gallatin Historical Society, Bozeman, Montana.

This collection was processed 2013 February 12

 Alderson, William W. (William White), 1831-1906 Alderson, William W. (William White), 1831-1906 Bozeman (Mont.) -- Boundaries Montana -- Bozeman Frontier and pioneer life -- Montana -- Bozeman Land tenure -- Montana -- Bozeman Boundaries Frontier and pioneer life Land tenure Business and Corporations Land Use Pioneers Montana Bozeman Minutes -- Montana -- Bozeman 1 "Claim Association Minutes"

Special thanks to the Gallatin Historical Society for providing the scanned images of the original minutes for this web presentation