In 1898, a rooming house suddenly collapsed in Butte
Ellen Baumler was a prolific Montana historian known for her engaging narratives on the state’s quirky, forgotten, and sometimes eerie past. Beyond the “Disaster Averted” story from her “History on the Go” audio series (which drew from her broader work in Montana Moments), she authored numerous books, articles, blog posts, and interpretive materials. Here’s a curated overview of her key works, focusing on books and other historical contributions, drawn from reliable sources like her personal blog and Goodreads listings.
Baumler published over a dozen books, often blending history with ghost stories, biographies, and bite-sized anecdotes. Many were released through the Montana Historical Society Press.
Here’s a selection of notable ones:
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- Montana Moments: History on the Go (2010): A collection of short, entertaining vignettes on Montana’s bizarre and interesting historical episodes, perfect for quick reads. It includes stories about colorful characters, scandals, and odd events from the state’s past.
- More Montana Moments (2012): A follow-up volume with additional funny, strange, and captivating tales from Montana history, expanding on themes like pioneer scandals and unusual local lore.
- Girl from the Gulches: The Story of Mary Ronan (2003): An edited memoir of pioneer Mary Ronan, detailing her life in early Montana mining camps, forbidden adventures, and the harsh realities of frontier existence.
- Spirit Tailings: Ghost Tales from Virginia City, Butte, and Helena (2002): Explores supernatural legends tied to Montana’s mining towns, weaving historical facts with eerie accounts of hauntings in historic buildings.
- Beyond Spirit Tailings: Montana’s Mysteries, Ghosts, and Haunted Places (2005): Delves into more ghostly encounters, mysteries like the Flathead Lake monster, and unexplained events rooted in Montana’s heritage sites.
- Haunted Helena: Montana’s Queen City Ghosts (2014): Focuses on paranormal stories from Helena, including apparitions in old mansions and hitchhiking spirits, all grounded in verifiable historical context.
- Dark Spaces: Montana’s Historic Penitentiary at Deer Lodge (2008): A detailed history of the territorial prison, covering riots, inmate lives, and its violent legacy, illustrated with photographs.
- Montana Chillers: 13 True Tales of Ghosts and Hauntings (2009): True stories of supernatural occurrences across Montana, aimed at younger readers but rich in historical detail.
- The Life of the Afterlife in the Big Sky State: A History of Montana’s Cemeteries: Examines the cultural and historical significance of Montana’s burial grounds, revealing stories of the deceased and societal changes.
- A History of Montana in 101 Places: Sites and Stories from the Montana Historical Society: Highlights key historical sites with accompanying narratives, offering a guided tour through Montana’s past.
- Hidden History of Helena, Montana: Uncovers lesser-known aspects of Helena’s development, from gold rushes to overlooked figures, co-authored with Jon Axline.
- Ghosts of the Last Best Place: A compilation of haunting tales from various Montana locations, emphasizing the intersection of folklore and history.
Ellen Baumler also co-authored multi-volume anthologies like More from the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch (1995–2003), which compile local Helena histories, and Still Speaking Ill of the Dead: More Jerks in Montana History (2005), a humorous take on notorious figures.
Other Historical Works
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- “History on the Go” Audio Series: A podcast/radio segment featuring short, quirky Montana stories. Examples include “Missoula’s Rattlesnake Neighborhood” (on early settlement quirks), “The Pekin Noodle Parlor” (Chinese immigrant history in Butte), “Murder of Frank Little” (labor unrest and vigilante justice), “Ella Knowles” (Montana’s first female attorney), and “Smallpox and Montana’s Native People” (impact of epidemics on indigenous communities). Many episodes are available on SoundCloud.
- Montana Moments Blog: Baumler maintained a blog (ellenbaumler.blogspot.com) with hundreds of posts on obscure Montana tidbits, such as bizarre events, forgotten pioneers, and haunted lore. It served as a source for her books and series.
- Interpretive Signs and Markers: She wrote over 1,600 historical roadside signs for the Montana Department of Transportation, preserving stories at sites across the state.
- Articles and Talks: Contributed to magazines, walking tours, and events like “Untold Stories of Montana Minorities,” focusing on underrepresented groups such as Chinese pioneers and Native Americans.
Baumler’s work often highlighted Montana’s mining boom, women’s roles, ethnic minorities, and supernatural elements tied to real events. For more, her blog or the Montana Historical Society’s archives are excellent resources. Note that Ellen Baumler passed away in December 2023, but her contributions continue to educate and entertain.
