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were piled on a football field, the pile would reach 300 feet in
height.
Of course the Milwaukee Road no longer serves Fallon Coun-
ty, nor indeed anywhere in Montana, and the lake has become a
prime recreation spot. The Baker Chamber of Commerce's web-
site has this to say about the lake and other recreational activities:
"Baker offers a variety of year round activities. Our vast prairie
is perfect habitat for big game hunting such as mule deer, white
tail deer and antelope; and also game birds such as pheasants.
Make Baker Lake, located in Baker, your destination. There are
public docks to put your boat in for skiing, fishing, and boating.
Several parks surround the lake where you can enjoy a beauti-
ful summer day on the lakeshore swimming and picnicking.
Overnight camping is allowed with prior communication to the
Parks Department (406)778-8116. Basketball and sand volleyball
courts are nearby as well as a picnic pavilion equipped with ta-
bles, grills, and restrooms to accommodate any gathering. Bak-
er also boasts Lakeview Country Club, a nine-hole golf course
with full amenities. Annual events in the Baker area include
Baker Jam Basketball Tournament, Classic Car Show, Bump n'
Run Races, Fallon County Days, Fallon County Fair, Crazy Days,
Christmas Stroll, Coyote Calling Contest, just to name a few.
Visit the Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agricultures website
www.bakermt.com for a complete listing of events."
Personally, not sure what a "Bump 'N Run Race" is, I want to
attend the Coyote Calling Contest.
I've been researching county histories in Montana and oth-
er states for almost twenty years. The funniest story I've come
across concerns a California woman visiting Baker in 1960. Hav-
ing learned that Baker had a golf course, she headed out to get in
her nine holes. Now the first thing you must remember is that by
law all of Montana is "Open Range." This means that if you don't
want cows in your yard, it's up to you to fence them out. The pow-
ers that be at the Baker golf club decided it was easier to fence
each individual fairway, rather than fencing the entire course.
To approach the tee, you first had to crawl under the fence. Sim-
ilarly, after sinking your ball in the hole, you had to crawl under
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