Golden Valley

Formed March 8, 1920 (53^rd county)

Golden Valley County (824), Ryegate (223)

The red brick building was constructed in 1921.  It is situated at Kemp Street and 5^th Street.  United States Highway 12 is four blocks south of the courthouse.  John H. Grant provided the Federalist designs.  The county was formed on March 8, 1920 as the 53^rd county with Ryegate as the only county seat.  The county named was provided by local settlers to attract pioneers.  Ryegate is named for local agriculture. 

Golden Valley County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  One District Court Judge serves Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, and Wheatland counties.  The county is in the central part of the state.  Billings, Montana is southeast and Great Falls, Montana is northwest of the county.  The county center is 9.5 miles Northeast of Ryegate.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Fergus, Musselshell, Yellowstone, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Wheatland counties.  The county is shaped like a fat capital letter J. 

The area of the county is 1175 square miles.  It is 52 out of 56 in the state.  It ranks 54 out of 56 in population in the state.  It has a density of 0.7 persons per square mile making it 50 out of 56 in the state.  Golden Valley County has 43.7% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 12 crosses east to west through the county from Musselshell County to Wheatland County.  Ryegate is in the southwest quarter of the county.  Ryegate is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 27.1% of the county population.