Small towns often hide the most interesting stories, and Montpelier, Idaho is no exception. Tucked into this quiet southeastern Idaho town is a little museum with a big connection to the Wild West — the Butch Cassidy Museum.
But if you’re planning a visit, be prepared for a bit of an adventure… even before you walk through the door.
The Museum That Keeps You Guessing
For us, visiting the museum turned into a three-year mission. Every time we tried to stop by, it seemed closed. When it said it might be open… it wasn’t. Operating hours weren’t posted clearly on the building or online, so visiting often felt like a guessing game.
Ironically, the year we finally made it inside happened when I was working at the KOA campground in Montpelier. On one of my days off, we decided to try again — and this time we got lucky. The door was open.
Sometimes travel is just about being in the right place at the right moment.
Museum… or Store?
Once inside, we quickly realized something interesting about the place.
Yes, it’s a museum — but it’s also very much a store. Nearly everything inside seemed to be for sale, especially the famous Montpelier bricks. The displays were charming and the artifacts interesting, but you definitely get the feeling that you’re walking through a shop that happens to have history sprinkled throughout.
So here’s a tip:
Bring cash.
Because odds are, you won’t walk out without buying something.
A Caretaker Who Brings History to Life
What really made the visit memorable was the caretaker. He was enthusiastic, friendly, and clearly loved telling the story of the building and its past.
Through his storytelling, the history felt less like something written in books and more like something that actually happened right where we were standing. Hearing stories from the Old West always leaves you wondering about the parts of history we’ll never fully know — especially from a time when technology and record-keeping were limited.
Those gaps in the story somehow make it even more fascinating.
Who Was Butch Cassidy?
Many people know the name, but not the full story.
Butch Cassidy, born Robert LeRoy Parker in 1866, was one of the most famous outlaws of the American Old West.
A few quick facts:
- Born: Beaver, Utah Territory
- Parents: Mormon pioneers
- Nickname Origin: He once worked as a butcher, which likely inspired the name “Butch.”
- Cassidy: Taken from his mentor, cattle rustler Mike Cassidy.
Despite being an outlaw, Cassidy earned a reputation as a “gentleman bandit.” Unlike many criminals of the time, he was known for avoiding violence and rarely killing anyone, which oddly made him somewhat admired by everyday people.
The Montpelier Bank Robbery
The museum building itself has a direct connection to Cassidy’s story.
On August 13, 1896, shortly after being released from prison, Butch Cassidy and several partners robbed the Bank of Montpelier, escaping with over $7,000 — a huge amount of money at the time.
Today, that same building is preserved as the Butch Cassidy Museum.
It holds a unique distinction:
It’s the only standing bank that Butch Cassidy is known to have robbed.
The Wild Bunch
After the Montpelier robbery, Cassidy formed his infamous outlaw gang known as The Wild Bunch.
Members included:
- The Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh)
- Elzy Lay
Together they carried out a string of train and bank robberies across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado, becoming legends of the American frontier.
A Museum with an Uncertain Future
Unfortunately, rumors around town say the museum may now be closed and up for sale.
That’s a real shame.
Small attractions like this can be incredibly important to towns like Montpelier. During the winter months especially, tourism slows down and communities rely on unique destinations to bring visitors through.
Places like this help keep local history alive — and give travelers a reason to stop and explore.
One More Hidden Gem in Town
If you do find yourself in Montpelier, there’s another place worth visiting: the local library.
It may sound like an unusual travel recommendation, but the library puts a lot of thought into its themes and displays, making it a surprisingly fun stop while exploring the town.
Sometimes the best parts of travel aren’t the big attractions — they’re the unexpected little discoveries along the way.
Final Thoughts
The Butch Cassidy Museum might be small, quirky, and a little unpredictable with its hours, but that’s part of its charm.
If you manage to catch it open, you’ll step into a piece of Wild West history — one that still sparks curiosity more than a century later.
And who knows… you might walk out with a brick and a story. Me Gone RVing Adventures caved and got a shot glass - lol
