Main St. Baker MT ca. 1910
A photo of Baker’s Main St. around 1910 shows it when Irene first moved there with her family. To the left are the town’s saloons catering to the “unattached” ranch hands, cowpokes and farmers. On the right, the two-story building is the Lentzes’ general store, selling a variety of merchandise. Upstairs were rented rooms. The trolley in the photo is fake. The streets are still unpaved and muddy and the scene could very well serve as a set for a western movie.
Read MoreBird’s Eye View of Baker, MT, ca. 1917
Here’s a vintage photo, about 1917, of Baker, MT. The little pioneer town had gown by this time as more people moved there to ranch, farm and work on the newly found gas resources. It was still unpaved, but the houses reflected those found all over the U.S. at this time, because many newcomers to Baker came from Iowa, The Dakotas, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Many of its residents still spoke Norwegian, German, Russian, Swedish and Chinese. The town was a real American melting pot. But the streets were muddy and mostly unpaved. Electricity was still a novel thing in Irene’s day; it’s a wonder how she was able to see to sew all those clothes that she wore to school. But her mom, Karlyn’s greatgrandmother, Maude, was a very strong...
Read MoreIrene’s Home Town
Here’s some old photos of Baker, MT, Irene’s hometown where she grew up. It was located in a remote area on the Great Plains, and her family moved there about 1909 to open up a store. Other Lentz family members followed in the 1920s and 1930s; they were real pioneers. The town expanded because of the railroad and the Homestead Act, which allowed people land to develop and then it was theirs, after seven years. Irene said her family also had a cattle ranch and many died in a draught. She loved the outdoors here and especially “skeet-shooting,” which Karlyn’s great granddad taught her. Swimming in Baker Lake was fun for Irene too, and she spent many a summer day in that shallow artificial reservoir swimming with friends and her two broth
Read MoreAbout Irene
Irene is my grand-aunt, and admired for her work in women's fashion and Hollywood costume design. Her talent as a successful clothing designer in Los Angeles led to her long career as a costume designer for many great films in Hollywood.. until her sudden death in 1962. I hope you enjoy your visit.. ~ Karlyn
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