Old Stoney celebrates 100th birthday

Back in 1922, a letter was written and published in the Sundance Times stating that Crook County was in need of a new district high school. The current building at the base of Sundance Mountain was inadequate for the number of students it housed.

Former school superintendent F.J. Stevens stated, "Most of us will spend our lives in this county and all that we have is right here. Our children will grow to men and women and their future depends upon the kind of education we give them."

With that inspiration, the county residents voted to build a new district high school in Sundance. The building was designed by noted Montana architects, Johan Gustav Link and Charles S Haire, and the stones were sourced from a quarry in Reuter Canyon in the Bearlodge Mountains.

Nicknamed "Old Stoney", the building served as Crook County High School, Sundance High School and finally Sundance Elementary before closing its doors around 1972. In 1985, the County Historical Society successfully enrolled the building into the National Historical Register.

After a lot of work from many groups and Old Stoney advocates, the building began to be renovated in 2013. The building, now under the Crook County Museum District, is named Old Stoney Business & Cultural Center, and houses the Crook County Museum & Art Gallery, office spaces and a rentable conference/meeting space.

Many from the same advocacy groups came together this summer to host Old Stoney's 100th Birthday Party, held on Saturday, August 19. The party was met with beautiful summer weather, and included live music by Dennis Mauch and Matt Stefanich, Myles Stefanich and band and Neal Gray.

Vendors from the Farmer's Market and food and ice cream trucks were in attendance, as well. A silent auction was held, along with free museum admission, commemorative t-shirt sales and delicious cake, made by Sue Scribner. Though no official number of attendees was counted, all 200 pieces of cake were eaten.

Crook County Museum Director, Rocky Courchaine commented "The birthday party was great! We had good attendance, shared fun stories, and I think it evoked a lot of memories from a lot of people."

The event raised close to $3600 to be put towards the final phase of the Old Stoney project; the third floor. The third floor renovation will bring a much needed and appreciated element to the community and county.

There will be an auditorium, complete with stage, a multi-purpose room for meetings and classes, and a full kitchen for hosting events. When asked when construction will begin for the third floor, Courchaine said, "It's within reach. Hopefully sooner, rather than later!"