When my husband Robert first suggested building an Old West town where people could spend the night, I thought he was a little crazy.
At the time, we had already discovered the world of vacation rentals after renting an apartment above our garage. We loved meeting travelers and creating memorable stays, but Robert had a much bigger vision.
“What if we built an entire Old West town?” he asked.
I laughed.
But he didn’t let the idea go.
Eventually, he found a piece of land near Glacier National Park and told me, “This is it. This is where we’ll build Fort Williamson.”
There was just one problem.
The bank didn’t believe in our dream.
When we applied for financing, we were turned down. We could have given up, but instead we made a decision that would change our lives forever. We sold our home, moved onto the property, and began building Fort Williamson ourselves.
Construction started in 2019.
Day by day, board by board, the town began to take shape. We poured our hearts into every detail, creating themed cabins that felt like stepping back into the Old West.
Then in June 2020, Fort Williamson opened its doors during one of the most uncertain times in modern history.
We had no idea what would happen.
Would guests come?
Would anyone understand our vision?
Thankfully, they did.
Today, guests from all over the country visit Fort Williamson to experience something different from a typical hotel or cabin stay. What started as one crazy idea has become a place where families make memories, couples celebrate special occasions, and adventurers create stories of their own.
Looking back, we’re grateful we took the leap.
And we’re even more grateful for every guest who has become part of the Fort Williamson story.