During the Battle of Warbonnet Creek on July 17, 1876, Buffalo Bill Cody shot, killed, and scalped a Cheyenne warrior near the townsite-to-be, which he later often celebrated during his Wild West shows in a reenactment he entitled "The Red Right Hand, or, Buffalo Bill's First Scalp for Custer".[2]
Montrose was established in 1887 on a ford across Hat Creek by immigrants from Austria, Germany, and Luxembourg.[2] It was named from its lofty elevation (mont) and native rose bushes (rose).[3] That year, the settlers built Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.[2] In 1890, fear of the Ghost Dance cult led the settlers to construct a fortified bunker.[2] Omaha Bishop Richard Scannell confirmed 46 Catholics at the church in June 1899.[2] By 1904, the settlement had a school, a blacksmith, and a general store.[2] In 1910, the settlement's population peaked at 24 inhabitants.[2]
Montrose had a post office from 1887 to 1948.[4] In 1953, the schoolhouse was moved away from the townsite.[2]
