Welcome to Garneill, Montana

Garneill is between Lewistown and Harlowtown. It was named for Garnet Neill, wife of an early-day rancher. It was already a trading post when the Central Montana Railroad established a state here in 1903. The railroad named its station Ubet in memory of a famous stage station only a few miles to the west. Three towns were laid out because of a division of sentiments on a moral issue: There was Ubet around the railroad station; there was North (which was dry) Garneill, which still survives; and there was South (or wet) Garneill, which consisted of a pretentious hotel, saloon, blacksmith shop, and store. The railroad in time changed the name of its station to Garneill to conform to local wishes.

At Garneill is the Ubet and Central Montana Pioneers Monument, a 2 1/2 –ton granite rock. In its concrete base are embedded pieces of ore, Indian relics, petrified wood, and other objects. Carved in it are the names of important pioneers and the dates of their arrival in Montana. (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Garneill is located near the picturesque Crystal Lake, which is situated in the Snowy Mountains of Lewis and Clark National Forest. The area offers camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. A shoreline loop trail circles lake. This 1.75-mile loop is nearly level, providing visitors with an effortless walking trail and beautiful views of the Crystal Lake area.