Pies, Poker, and Poetry: A Look Back at the Crazy Mountain Inn

If these walls could talk, they’d tell stories of sheep herders, poets, poker games, and pies. The Crazy Mountain Inn has stood as a quiet sentinel in Martinsdale, Montana for well over a century—a place where history lingers in the woodwork and the scent of home cooking never really leaves.

A Town on the Move

Before it was Martinsdale, the town was known as Gauglersville, named after Franklin Gaugler, who built a store and hotel here in 1876. In 1878, the town took on its current name in honor of Martin Maginnis, a Civil War veteran and politician who helped establish a post office—an important step for any frontier town trying to stake its place on the map.

When the Jawbone Railroad rolled through the valley in 1899, the entire town literally picked up and moved two miles south to meet the line. The railroad brought new life, new people, and a fair share of wild nights—which is where our inn enters the picture.

A Home for Travelers, Cowboys & Card Players

Originally owned by John Grant, the Crazy Mountain Inn quickly became a favorite stop for travelers, ranch hands, and sheep shearers alike. During the shearing season, the town buzzed with life. Cowboys would slip away from the pens for a round of blackjack or poker, and when the whiskey ran out—or kicked in—they’d often find a bed at the inn to sleep it off before returning to work.

In its early years, the building even housed the Kessler Brewing Company, one of Montana’s first and finest breweries. Imagine the scent of hops and home-cooked meals drifting down the hallway—not a bad way to end a long day on the range.

The Marchi Years: Pie & Preservation

While the inn has changed hands over the decades, Cheryl and Peter Marchi are among its most beloved stewards. Cheryl, especially, left a lasting legacy: her pies. Whether it was apple, rhubarb, or huckleberry, her baking became the heart and soul of the inn—and a reason many guests returned year after year. Above all, her Lemon Sour Cream pies were the most famous.

That tradition is far too sweet to let go. Today, we’re proud to carry on Cheryl’s legacy with pies to order, baked with love and a nod to the woman who made this place feel like home.

A Living Piece of Montana History

Martinsdale may be a small town, but it’s packed with stories. It was once home to Grace Stone Coates, a poet and quiet observer of Montana life, and Charles M. Bair, one of the most successful sheep ranchers in the country. The Bair family home is now a museum—and a must-see for any visitor with a love for Western history.

And just down the road? The Crazy Mountain Inn, where all those stories converge. We’re still here, still welcoming guests, and still baking pies.

So whether you’re chasing history, hiking the mountains, or just need a quiet place to land for the night, we hope you’ll stop by. We’ll have the oven warm and a slice of something sweet waiting.