Bielenberg-Kohrs Family Reunion 2011

CONFIRMED DATES

BIELENBERG-KOHRS REUNION 2011:

We have received confirmed dates for the

Grant-Kohrs Ranch Days of 2011.

The Grant-Kohrs Ranch Days are scheduled for

Saturday and Sunday, July 23- & 24, 2011

Mark your calendars! Save the Date!

The Bielenberg-Kohrs Reunion will take place in Deer Lodge Montana

during this fourth weekend of July 2011.

Please forward this information to any & all Bielenberg-Kohrs relations!

WHAT: Bielenberg-Kohrs Family Reunion 2011

WHEN: Thursday, July 21 – Sunday, July 24, 2011

WHERE: Deer Lodge, Montana

Lodging: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (Centrally located just 25 miles from Deer Lodge, 12 miles from Anaconda and 15 miles from Butte, Montana

http://www.fairmontmontana.com/

For those of us that enjoy camping we have the option of the Fairmont RV Park

http://www.fairmontrvresort.com/

And of course, you are by no means obligated to stay at either of these locations to partake in the reunion. There are a wide variety of accommodations in the nearby towns of Anaconda, Deer Lodge or Butte Montana. Stay at whichever location you feel most comfortable. What is most important is that you come join us at the family reunion

“ DATES & TENTATIVE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES”

Thursday, July 21st

Afternoon/Evening (Meet & Greet & BBQ) @ GRANT-KOHRS RANCH

Friday, July 22nd

Montana History Bus Tour: Fairmont to Bannack (Ghost town) to Virginia City (Ghost town)

Saturday, July 23rd

Grant-Kohrs Ranch Days, Deer Lodge Montana

Sunday, July 24th

Grant-Kohrs Ranch Days and/or Soak/Swim/Family Picnic Day

Good Byes Until Next Time

BANNACK STATE PARK
In 1862, Conrad Kohrs joined the next western gold rush and headed for western Montana, where rich gold deposits had been found in the Grasshopper Creek of Bannack, Montana. By the time Kohrs entered the Deer Lodge Valley he was out of funds and almost out of provisions. Then he happened to meet Hank Crawford, and quickly accepted his offer of $25 a month to run a butcher shop in the boom town of Bannack. With a borrowed scale, a carpenter's saw, and a bowie knife that he ground down to cut steaks, Kohrs dropped his dreams of a prospecting career and began the work that would lead him into the cattle-raising business. At Crawford's direction, he picked up three heifers at Cottonwood and headed to Bannack (south of Deer Lodge in extreme southwestern Montana) to set up shop. Almost immediately he took over the books for the shop, purchased cattle to replenish the stock, and received a raise to $100 a month from his grateful boss. Through the summer, fall, and winter Con Kohrs worked for Crawford in a rapidly growing butcher business. The hordes of miners made great demands for meat. Kohrs, searching for beef on the hoof, no doubt received an orientation in the cattle business of the region. Today, over sixty structures remain standing, most of which can be explored. People from all over visit this renowned ghost town to discover their heritage.

Website: http://www.bannack.org/

VIRGINIA CITY
Virginia City is a living town of 150 year round residents who host the West's best preserved gold mining town from the 1860s. Visitors walk the same boardwalks that desperate Vigilantes once patrolled. Working as a butcher led Conrad Kohrs into the cattle business. Cattle were in relatively short supply in frontier Montana, and Kohrs traveled around the territory to purchase prime animals. He had several brushes with the highwaymen who plagued the isolated roads of Montana. Determined to stop these murderous bandits, Kohrs joined a group of Virginia City vigilantes, and helped track down and hang the outlaws. Today, guests are transported to a time when rowdy miners mingled in saloons and restaurants with women of negotiable affection. View over 100 historic buildings complete with artifacts and furnishings. Ride the 1910 fully refurbished steam locomotive, the stagecoach, attend a live theater show, stay the night in homey historic lodging. Shop in unique gift and specialty shops. Enjoy fine dining and old-fashioned bakery and candy shop goods.

Website: http://www.virginiacitymt.com/

GRANT-KOHRS RANCH DAYS
This weekend long event is a celebration of ranching heritage geared to children and young people. On Saturday morning there will be an opportunity to see historic branding. Throughout the entire weekend (weather permitting) we will be having haying demonstrations using draft horses and historic equipment. In addition, there will be a chuckwagon cook, blacksmithing, music, wagon rides, roping, games, children`s programs, and presentations on ranch life of the past and present.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/GRKO/index.htm

Questions, Comments & Concerns: Contact Don Kohrs at dkohrs@stanford.edu