Legacy INDUCTEE

EDWARD F. "ED" LAMB (1900-1972) & GEORGE W. LAMB (1903-1973) 

DISTRICT 8 - YEAR 2026

Edward Francis and George Wilford Lamb were born in Broadlands, Illinois, in 1900 and 1903, respectively to Harry and Annie Lamb. Tuberculosis was a concern at the time, and their parents decided a drier climate would keep the family safe. In 1918, they relocated to the Helena Valley, of western Montana where they settled on 640 acres of land. This property became known as the Lamb Ranch. 

Soon after settling the family built a beautiful brick home and garage, both of which still stand today. The house was the showcase of the Valley, and many parties and dances were held there. Upon completion of the house, various outbuildings were constructed to support their ranching operations. These included a large horse barn, granaries, icehouse, oil shed, chicken houses, shop, machine shed, bunkhouse, and an extensive dairy barn. True to the tradition of working ranches of the time, all utilitarian structures were painted red with white trim.

Initially, the Lamb family raised purebred Hereford cattle and later transitioned to Aberdeen Angus. In addition to the cattle, they raised horses, pigs, rabbits, and domestic fowl while cultivating wheat, oats, and alfalfa to sustain their livestock and livelihood. They often used draft horses to pull the hay wagons and winter sleds to feed the cattle. 

Both Ed and George embraced the cowboy lifestyle of the 1920s and 30s. The brothers became skilled trick ropers and bronc busters frequently performing at rodeos. Through the years they enjoyed their friendship and memorable birthdays with legendary Fanny Sperry Steele, whom Ed kindly remembers participating in rodeos with.

Ed remained on the ranch, working alongside his father. He competed in rodeos across Montana as a calf roper and would often ride his horse in local parades. Though he never married, he cherished his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed entertaining children with his livestock auctioneer chant, sometimes called the ‘cattle rattle’.

George, on the other hand, left the ranch in the early 1920s to pursue wildlife trapping in the Adel Country north of Helena and the Boulder Valley south of Helena. He later worked as a guide at Mt. McKinley National Park in Alaska, before returning to Montana, where he became a dude-wrangler for the Park Saddle Co. in Glacier National Park from 1926 to 1941. The wranglers escorted tourists on horseback trips into the backcountry; these excursions would be from one to several days’ journeys. Tent camps would be established for the night, dudes fed, then all gear packed up onto the horses the next day and moved again along the trail. When needed, George worked as a "gearjammer," driving the red tour buses that transported visitors from the train depot to the park hotels.

In 1944, George married Darlene Stauffer, whom he had met while they were employed at Many Glacier. The couple later moved to Cascade, Montana where they started their family and George worked for the Montana Department of Highways. In 1950, he returned to the ranch, with Darlene and their young children, John and Marilyn, to form a partnership with Ed. Darlene took on the management of the household responsibilities and prepared meal preparation for the family and ranch hands. 

Calving season and branding were always busy times on the ranch. Ed and George kept meticulous records of the temperature, precipitation, calves due, and calves on the ground. As is the practice, neighbors always helped neighbors at branding time and were extended a heartfelt appreciation with an invitation to the enormous potlucks held afterwards. 

Ed and George were avid elk, deer, and antelope hunters with an occasional pheasant hunt planned as well. One of George’s favorite pastimes was fly fishing the streams and rivers of western Montana. Some of his proudest moments were holding his impressive catch of the day while a photo was taken. George and Ed assisted John and Marilyn with their 4-H livestock projects; John raised Black Angus calves for sale, and Marilyn raised orphaned lambs that were given to her by a neighbor. 

By the mid-50s the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds had fallen into disrepair, and Ed was asked if the Lamb Ranch roping arena could be expanded to host a rodeo. In response, bucking chutes and livestock pens were built. Rodeos were held annually at the ranch from 1956 through 1958. Eventually these events evolved into what has become known as the Last Chance Stampede, held every July at the fairgrounds, celebrating Montana’s deep-rooted ranching heritage. Over the years, the Lamb family members and ranch played a significant role in the development of the region's agricultural history. However, times were changing, and with it modernization, which brought significant and life changing progress to the area. The construction of Interstate Highway 15 cut through some of the Valley’s most productive farmland, hay ground and cattle pastures, affecting the viability of the Lamb Ranch. Due to the significant downsizing of production land, the Lambs had no choice but to sell the home and property in 1959. It was a sad and difficult time for the entire Lamb family.

After the sale of the property, Ed worked as a deputy sheriff for Sheriff Dave Middlemas. He later ran on the Republican ticket and was elected as a Lewis and Clark County Commissioner. Ed remained an avid rodeo spectator well into his 60s, traveling to events such as Pendleton and Calgary. George moved his family into Helena, where he eventually retired from the Helena School District. 

With Darlene as his traveling companion, George had a desire to return to Mt. McKinley and did so in 1969. Ed passed away in 1972, followed by George in 1973. Although the land no longer serves its original purpose, the Lamb family's contributions to the local economy remain a vital chapter in the cultural history of the Helena Valley. Their legacy endures through the stories of their hard work, resilience, and deep connection to Montana’s ranching heritage.

Sources: 

“Valleys of the Prickly Pear", Twenty Miles Each Way from the Little Red Schoolhouse, 1888-1988 (1988). Published by The Little Red Schoolhouse, Inc., (now out of print)

Marilyn Lamb Roberts (April 2010). Romance in the Park. “Montana Woman”, 186th Edition, page 43.

Photo: Ed & George with Fannie Sperry Steele