Flamboyant John Ringling—one of five brothers who founded the Ringling Brothers Circus—came to Montana in 1903 looking for investments. He ended up building a railroad and launching a ranching company. His nephew Richard followed John to Montana in 1917 to establish a cattle and sheep empire, while Richard’s son Paul continued the family’s legacy. Author Lee Rostad tells the Ringlings’ Montana story—with commentary from Paul—plus tales of the circus’s ups and downs. Presence of the Past program series. Sept 10, 2015.

Flamboyant John Ringling—one of five brothers who founded the Ringling Brothers Circus—came to Montana in 1903 looking for investments. He ended up building a railroad and launching a ranching company. His nephew Richard followed John to Montana in 1917 to establish a cattle and sheep empire, while Richard’s son Paul continued the family’s legacy. Author Lee Rostad tells the Ringlings’ Montana story—with commentary from Paul—plus tales of the circus’s ups and downs. Presence of the Past program series. Sept 10, 2015.

Helena citizens worked together to save and restore a gold rush era cabin.

Helena citizens worked together to save and restore a gold rush era cabin.

Life prison sentences did not keep these teenage lovers apart.

Life prison sentences did not keep these teenage lovers apart.

Helena citizens worked together to save and restore a gold rush era cabin.

Flamboyant John Ringling—one of five brothers who founded the Ringling Brothers Circus—came to Montana in 1903 looking for investments. He ended up building a railroad and launching a ranching company. His nephew Richard followed John to Montana in 1917 to establish a cattle and sheep empire, while Richard’s son Paul continued the family’s legacy. Author Lee Rostad tells the Ringlings’ Montana story—with commentary from Paul—plus tales of the circus’s ups and downs. Presence of the Past program series. Sept 10, 2015.

Life prison sentences did not keep these teenage lovers apart.

In "There Will Be Oil: Appetite and Inevitability on the American Prairie," journalist Edwin Dobb expounds upon his article that appeared in National Geographic about the Bakken oil patch in North Dakota, "The New Oil Landscape." Presented at the 2013 Montana History Conference in Sidney.