Walter Cooper.

[.45colt]

Shrapnel's excellent post about Cooper and Bozmen Mt got Me looking around. It seems the brick building in the picture is still standing and is being restored. I also found this article about Mr. Cooper and His Life. Great Story. https://bozemanmagazine.com/articles/20 ... ter-cooper

[Shrapnel]

Shrapnel's excellent post about Cooper and Bozmen Mt got Me looking around. It seems the brick building in the picture is still standing and is being restored. I also found this article about Mr. Cooper and His Life. Great Story. https://bozemanmagazine.com/articles/20 ... ter-cooper

That article was written by Cindy Shearer, who was the director for the Gallatin History Museum in Bozeman. They had my guns on display there for a year to share with Bozeman and Walter Cooper’s influence to Bozeman specifically and Montana in general.

Walter Cooper is an incredibly interesting person that was involved with much of what helped shape Montana in its early years. He was involved with many business interests which included making railroad ties with the timber he harvested from the land the railroad owned and floated it down the Gallatin River.

He was involved with Montana Statehood and other civic responsibilities. Even though he was quite successful he died almost penniless. His work and efforts are still recognized around Bozeman with a park named for him in the center of Bozeman.

I was asked to speak on Walter Cooper when my display was removed from the museum, and it was incredible that Walter Cooper’s grandson was in Montana at that time and came to the closing event at the museum.

[.45colt]

Thank You again . Mr. Coopers life would make quite a movie . To have met Jim Bridger and Kit Carson back in the "Day" when they were active had to be something. what a time to be alive as long as You could stay Healthy.

[marlinman93]

Way back in the 1800's when gun dealers and gunsmiths were considered highly regarded trades, and pillars of their community there were a number of gunsmiths and gun dealers who did much to help the cities and towns they made their living in. The story of Cooper is much like others as far as what they all did for their home towns. Not all died penniless, but that too was fairly common among some huge names like HM Pope, Frank Freund, etc.

[JBowen]

Thanks for sharing that link, 45 Colt. A good read and history lesson.


JBowen