Construction Camps
Making Life Cozy in the Construction Camps
Once funding came through, the project was divided into sections and three construction companies set to work: Morrison-Knudsen from Boise, Idaho; McNutt and Pyle of Eugene, Oregon and The Winston Brothers from Minnesota. Morrison-Knudsen built the Red Lodge side from the base to the West Summit, and had their construction camp along Rock Creek at the spot now home to the M-K Campground.
Their “camp” was more like a small city for the 170-plus men who lived there. It had a 5,000-watt electric plant that powered the 12 family cabins, along with the cookhouse, four bunkhouses, warehouses, toolhouses and other buildings and a string of street lights running down the center; there was also a water system set up with a faucet for every two cabins, and a central coalbin for camp use, all of which was included in the cost of rent.
But for some men, that rent seemed high. Charles Barbiaux was one of several men who decided they weren’t going to pay the $1.35/day for room and board, and instead set up lean-to tents and tables in the woods. They slept near their tables to keep animals away from their food stores during the night, and on days off they fished for food. There’s no record of whether they came back to the bunkhouse for the winter.
A Mrs. Tom Knox left a wonderful record of life in the camp. “After living in a tent in Yellowstone Park [building Park roads] these little cabins seemed like paradise. The inside was of rough lumber with a little partition making the two rooms. I covered the floors of the cabin with bright linoleum and had bright curtains and oilcloth to match. It was as cheery and bright a home as anyone could ask for. We planted hardy flowers around our cabins and carried water to them religiously. The men fished in their idle moments and we had fish fries. On Sundays we would put up our lunch and go to one of the numerous small lakes and spend the day fishing and picnicking.”
John Yurkovich recalled that despite the grueling work schedule, some men would hike the 15 miles into Red Lodge for a dance, returning by dawn the next day.
