Forty years ago you expected to find crossroads places—typically a bar/cafe, often with a store and gas pumps—whenever you passed through major highway junctions. At the intersection of Montana Highway 200, which is still a major east-west route, and US Highway 287 stood Bowman’s Corner in northern Lewis and Clark County.

Today the place is there—the building remains while the sign has almost all blown away. Old cars are parked around. A fence tells you not to enter.

Particularly sad to see is where the rodeo corral once stood. I can recall taking a break once and watching some guys practice roping.

Here was a laid back roadside oasis. Not totally gone in 2023–but you wonder if Bowman’s Crossroads is not another crossroads place to be forgotten as the 21st century moves onward.