In 1931, in the middle of the Great Depression, two brothers in a tiny Yellowstone Valley town decided to build a movie theatre.
David and Jim Manning had grown up in Hysham. David had recently traveled through the American Southwest and fallen in love with Spanish Mission Revival architecture.
He thought it might work in Hysham — partly because the town was near the location where the fur trader Manuel Lisa had established one of the Yellowstone Valley’s earliest trading posts in 1807-1808, giving the area a thin Spanish connection.
They built the Yucca Theatre anyway.
The Mission Revival building is one of the most unexpected pieces of architecture in eastern Montana. Stucco walls. Red tile roof. Decorative arches. It looks like something you’d find in southern Arizona, not on the prairie north of the Bighorn River.
The theatre struggled financially through the Depression and into the postwar years. David Manning eventually transformed part of the building into his home and lived there for decades.
He served as a Montana state legislator for 53 consecutive years under 11 different governors — the longest-serving state legislator in United States history.
The Yucca Theatre was the first building in Treasure County added to the National Register of Historic Places, listed on January 7, 1994.
It still operates today.
TL;DR
- Hysham (276) is the seat of Treasure County, on Interstate 94 in eastern Montana, 75 miles east of Billings.
- Named for Charlie J. Hysham, an Iowa-born cattleman who ran the Flying E Ranch in the area starting around 1899.
- Town platted 1908 by homesteader/schoolteacher Ada Channell after 1906 Crow Reservation boundary changes opened the area to settlement.
- Treasure County created 1919 from a portion of Rosebud County; Hysham named the county seat the same year.
- The Yucca Theatre — Mission Revival style, built 1931 by David and Jim Manning — was the first Treasure County building on the National Register (1994).
- Dave Manning of Hysham was the longest-serving state legislator in US history — 53 years under 11 governors.
- Treasure County is Montana’s second-least populous county (762 residents, 2020).
- The Treasure County ’89ers Museum sits across the street from the Yucca Theatre.
- Best for: heritage architecture travelers, Montana political history, Yellowstone Valley stops, small-town Americana.
Hysham at a Glance
| Population (2020) | 276 |
|---|---|
| County | Treasure County (county seat) |
| County population (2020) | 762 (Montana’s 2nd-least populous) |
| Region | Eastern Montana (Yellowstone Valley) |
| Elevation | 2,660 ft |
| Distance to Billings | ~75 miles west on I-94 (~1.25 hours) |
| Distance to Forsyth | ~30 miles east on I-94 |
| Distance to Miles City | ~75 miles east |
| Distance to Hardin | ~55 miles southwest |
| Distance to Colstrip | ~60 miles southeast |
| Distance to Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) | ~80 miles west |
| Founded | 1908 (platted by Ada Channell) |
| Treasure County created | 1919 |
| Best for | Yucca Theatre, Treasure County ’89ers Museum, Yellowstone Valley stops |
What Makes Hysham Different
The story starts with one cattleman.
In the late 1890s, Charlie J. Hysham moved from Red Oak, Iowa to manage what became the Flying E Ranch — running thousands of head of cattle south of the Yellowstone River and north of the Wyoming border. Much of the operation grazed on land leased from the Crow Indian Reservation.
The Flying E needed steady supply deliveries.
The Northern Pacific Railway built a siding to serve the ranch.
A small settlement grew up around the siding, supporting the ranch and the homesteaders who began arriving when the Crow Reservation boundary was moved west in 1906, opening the surrounding country to settlement.
Ada Channell and the 1908 Plat
The town’s actual founder was a homesteader and schoolteacher named Ada Channell.
In 1908, Channell platted a portion of her homestead as a townsite. She named it Hysham, in honor of the cattleman who had been working the area for nearly a decade. The post office had been established the previous year, in 1907.
The town grew quickly.
By 1914, Hysham had a bank, a church, two saloons, a restaurant, a barbershop, lumber yards, “a crack baseball team,” a railroad depot, and the full complement of small-town amenities the homestead-era boosters had hoped for.
Treasure County Created 1919
In 1919, the Montana state legislature created Treasure County from a portion of Rosebud County.
Promoters chose the optimistic name hoping it would attract more settlers and businesses. Hysham was named the county seat — a designation it still holds. The county remains one of Montana’s smallest by population, with just 762 residents in the 2020 census.
The Yucca Theatre Story
The 1931 construction of the Yucca Theatre by David and Jim Manning is the most architecturally significant moment in Hysham’s history.
David Manning had traveled in the American Southwest and admired Spanish Mission Revival architecture.
He decided to build a Mission Revival theatre in Hysham — partly because Manuel Lisa, the early 19th-century Spanish-American fur trader, had established a trading post on the nearby Yellowstone River in 1807-1808.
It was an enormous undertaking for a Depression-era town of fewer than 500 people.
The theatre opened. It struggled financially. David Manning eventually moved into part of the building and lived there for decades while serving in the Montana Legislature. The Yucca was the first Treasure County building added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 1994.
It still operates as a theatre and historic site.
Dave Manning: 53 Years of Service
David M. Manning’s political career is itself part of Hysham’s story.
He served in the Montana Legislature for 53 consecutive years — under 11 different governors. As of his retirement, he held the record as the longest-serving state legislator in United States history.
His legislative work focused on rural electrification, highway construction, water resources, and the practical needs of eastern Montana ranchers. His home behind the Yucca Theatre stage became a constituent destination for decades.
The Statues and the Museum
In recent decades, the Manning legacy has expanded into broader heritage tourism for Hysham.
Local sculptor Bob Schulze has installed a remarkable collection of statues across the street from the Yucca Theatre. Lewis and Clark with Sacajawea and her infant son Pomp. A saber-tooth tiger. A woolly mammoth. A white buffalo.
The Treasure County ’89ers Museum sits across the street in an old storefront. The museum’s collection includes a bison antiquus jawbone, J.C. Bonine’s 1977 saddle bronc championship saddle, a portrait of Charlie Hysham himself, and other regional artifacts.
For broader trip context, see my Montana cities and towns hub.
The Top 7 Things to Do In & Around Hysham
1. Yucca Theatre
The signature attraction.
The 1931 Mission Revival theatre still operates. Verify current movie or event schedule before visiting. Even when closed, the exterior architecture is photograph-worthy.
The interior tour includes David Manning’s preserved home behind the stage — one of the more unusual living spaces in a public theatre anywhere.
2. Treasure County ’89ers Museum
Across the street from the Yucca.
Two galleries of regional history covering the Crow Reservation era, the Charlie Hysham ranching period, homesteading, and Treasure County’s 20th-century evolution. Free or donation-based admission; hours vary.
3. Bob Schulze Sculpture Walk
The statues across from the Yucca Theatre form a substantive small-town public art installation.
Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea and Pomp, saber-tooth tiger, woolly mammoth, and white buffalo — all by local sculptor Bob Schulze. A brief but genuinely worthwhile walk.
4. Brunswick Bar
Operating since at least the 1950s.
The Brunswick stands on the site of the original Treasure County courthouse. Classic Montana bar food, local atmosphere, and a sense of contemporary Hysham community life.
5. Howrey Island & Myers Bridge
A short drive north on Yellowstone Valley back roads.
Myers Bridge — a multi-span steel through-truss structure built in 1907 — crosses the Yellowstone River. Howrey Island is a Yellowstone River island offering wildlife viewing and quiet recreation.
6. Isaac Homestead Wilderness Management Area
A Yellowstone River bottomland wildlife management area near Hysham. Whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Hunting in season; hiking and wildlife viewing year-round.
7. Day Trip to Billings or Miles City
Hysham sits roughly midway between Billings (75 miles west) and Miles City (75 miles east), with Forsyth closer to the east at 30 miles.
All three offer substantial Montana history attractions, restaurants, and additional services.
Where to Stay
Hysham has very limited lodging.
Most travelers either day-trip from Billings (1.25 hours west) or continue east to Miles City.
| Lodging | Vibe | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacation rentals (Hysham area) | Limited; ranch stays | $130–250 | Yellowstone Valley travelers |
| Billings hotels (1.25 hrs W) | Full city selection | $130–280 | Most travelers |
| Forsyth lodging (30 min E) | Small-town options | $90–160 | Budget |
| Miles City hotels (1.25 hrs E) | More variety | $100–200 | East-bound travelers |
Where to Eat
- Brunswick Bar (Hysham) — classic Montana bar food on the site of the original county courthouse
- Local Hysham cafes — verify current hours
- Forsyth dining (30 min E) — Rosebud County options
- Billings restaurants (1.25 hrs W) — extensive variety
Getting There & Around
From Billings: 75 miles east on I-94 (Exit 67 for Hysham), about 1.25 hours.
From Forsyth: 30 miles west on I-94, about 30 minutes.
From Miles City: 75 miles west on I-94, about 1.25 hours.
From Hardin: 55 miles northeast via I-90 to I-94, about 1 hour.
From Bozeman: ~225 miles east via I-90 and I-94, about 3.5 hours.
Cell service: Generally available in Hysham and along I-94.
When to Visit
Summer (June-August): Best weather; longest daylight; Yucca Theatre and museum at peak operating hours.
Fall (September-October): Outstanding eastern Montana light; harvest season; quieter than peak summer.
Winter (December-March): Severe Montana weather possible; some local businesses on reduced hours.
Spring (April-May): Quieter shoulder season; Yellowstone River runoff.
Personal Tips
Don’t skip Hysham on the I-94 corridor. Travelers driving between Billings and Miles City often blow past Hysham without realizing what’s here. The 30-minute architectural and museum stop is genuinely worth it.
Verify Yucca Theatre operating schedule. The theatre is still active but operates on limited modern hours. Calling ahead or checking the website saves wasted trips for travelers focused on attending a film or event.
The sculptures don’t need explanation. The Bob Schulze installations across from the Yucca speak for themselves. Allow 15 minutes for slow walking.
Read about Dave Manning before visiting. Understanding the 53-year legislative career adds substantive context to the Yucca Theatre tour. The home behind the stage was his actual residence — not a recreation.
Plan a Yellowstone Valley two-day trip. Hysham works well as part of an I-94 itinerary combining Billings, Hysham, Forsyth, and Miles City. Each community has substantive small-museum collections and distinctive character.
Brunswick Bar for lunch. The bar food is genuinely good, and the building’s location on the original county courthouse site adds historical weight to the visit.
Hysham Quick Facts
| Population (2020) | 276 | | Treasure County population (2020) | 762 (Montana’s 2nd-least populous) | | Treasure County created | 1919 (from Rosebud County) | | Town platted | 1908 by Ada Channell | | Post office established | 1907 | | Named for | Charlie J. Hysham (Flying E Ranch manager, from Red Oak, Iowa) | | Yucca Theatre built | 1931 (Mission Revival; David & Jim Manning) | | Yucca Theatre NRHP listed | January 7, 1994 | | Dave Manning legislative service | 53 years under 11 governors (longest in US history) | | Manuel Lisa trading post | 1807-1808 (nearby Yellowstone River) | | Myers Bridge built | 1907 (multi-span steel through truss) | | Average summer high | 89°F | | Average winter low | 4°F |
Conclusion
Hysham is a 276-person eastern Montana county seat with substantively interesting heritage.
The 1931 Mission Revival Yucca Theatre, the 53-year legislative career of Dave Manning, the Manuel Lisa fur-trade connection, the Bob Schulze sculpture installations, the Treasure County ’89ers Museum, and the 2,323-acre Charlie Hysham namesake ranch heritage all add up to one of the more genuinely interesting small-town stops on I-94 between Billings and Miles City.
Most travelers blow through without stopping. They shouldn’t.
Have a Hysham question? Drop it in the comments — I read every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hysham Montana worth visiting?
Yes — Hysham is worth a brief stop primarily for the 1931 Mission Revival Yucca Theatre (the first building in Treasure County on the National Register of Historic Places), the Treasure County ’89ers Museum across the street, the Bob Schulze sculpture installations, and the broader story of the longest-serving state legislator in US history. Travelers driving I-94 between Billings and Miles City should take Exit 67.
What is the Yucca Theatre?
The Yucca Theatre is a 1931 Mission Revival movie theatre in Hysham, Montana, built by brothers David and Jim Manning during the depths of the Great Depression. The Spanish Mission Revival style was inspired by David Manning’s travels in the American Southwest and by the historical Manuel Lisa trading post located near Hysham on the Yellowstone River in 1807-1808. The theatre was the first building in Treasure County added to the National Register of Historic Places, listed on January 7, 1994. David Manning eventually moved into part of the building and lived there for decades while serving in the Montana state legislature.
Who was Dave Manning?
David M. Manning was a Hysham, Montana businessman, theatre owner, and Montana state legislator who served in the Montana Legislature for 53 consecutive years under 11 different governors — making him the longest-serving state legislator in United States history. Manning co-built the Yucca Theatre in 1931 with his brother Jim and later transformed part of the building into his personal residence. His legislative work focused on rural electrification, highway construction, water resources, and the practical needs of eastern Montana communities.
Who is Hysham Montana named after?
Hysham is named for Charlie J. Hysham, an Iowa-born (Red Oak, Iowa) cattleman who managed the Flying E Ranch in the area beginning around 1899. The Flying E ran thousands of head of cattle south of the Yellowstone River and north of the Wyoming border on land partly leased from the Crow Indian Reservation. The Northern Pacific Railway built a siding to serve the ranch’s supply needs, and a small community grew up around the siding. In 1908, homesteader and schoolteacher Ada Channell platted the townsite and named it Hysham in honor of the longtime local cattleman.
What is Treasure County Montana?
Treasure County is a Montana county created in 1919 from a portion of Rosebud County. Promoters chose the optimistic name hoping it would attract settlers and businesses. The county covers 984 square miles in eastern Montana along the Yellowstone River. Hysham is the county seat and largest community. Treasure County had a population of just 762 at the 2020 census, making it the second-least populous county in Montana. The Yucca Theatre is the county’s most architecturally significant structure.
How far is Hysham from Billings Montana?
What is the Treasure County ’89ers Museum?
The Treasure County ’89ers Museum is a local history museum located in an old storefront across the street from the Yucca Theatre in Hysham, Montana. The museum’s collection includes a bison antiquus jawbone, J.C. Bonine’s 1977 saddle bronc championship saddle, a portrait of town namesake Charlie Hysham, and other regional artifacts covering Crow Reservation history, the 1880s-1910s open-range cattle era, homesteading, and Treasure County’s 20th-century development. Hours vary; verify before visiting.
