Welcome to Norris, Montana

Norris was named for Alexander Norris, owner of the Norris Ranch. It is an old mining town situated where the railroad ends and a valley spreads out into the eastern part of the county. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Norris is a business center for five mining districts: Lower Hot Springs, Upper Hot Springs, Washington, Meadow Creek, and Norwegian Gulch. Some of the properties were placer claims. Lode mines were discovered by the late 1860s. Including the Washington district, the totals from 1864-1930 were $3,964,500 from gold. This is one camp that never completely died. Corundum of gem quality is found in placer diggings around here.

All the cattle from the rich pasturelands to the south had to be driven (now they are trucked) to Norris for shipment. It was about fifty miles from the summer pasture "up West Fork" to the station at Norris. The town is on Hot Spring Creek, and for years miners, cowhands, and travelers sought out a warm bath in the Norris Plunge behind the questionable privacy of its board fence. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Today, Norris Hot Springs offers guests a soak in mineral water pouring from the earth's depths at 120 degrees. Clean, clear, hot water bubbles up through smooth planks into an historic wooden pool. Live music under the stars issues from the poolside stage in the geodesic dome.