The Loss of a Montana Landmark, the Busy Bee in Roundup

When you make the trip from the Montana Hi Line to what seemed like the big city of Billings...you had to stop at the Busy Bee in Roundup. After 80 years, that Montana landmark is now closed.

I remember making the trip from Glasgow to Billings when I was a kid back in the 1980's and yep- you had to stop at the Busy Bee. And even if you didn't stop, the Busy Bee was always a reminder that your long trip to the big city was almost over.

What are some landmarks like that that you see when you drive across Montana?

Nancy in Roundup was the first one to call in to the Montana Talks radio show and break the news a while back- due to floodplain issues stemming from the Musselshell River, the Busy Bee Cafe is shutting down.

Nancy called in Monday morning and said the city is now looking to build a park in that same location once the building is demolished by FEMA.

KTVQ-TV's David Jay covered that story with a great report over the weekend and chatted with the owners.

From David Jay's report: "The restaurant started in 1945 in an old church building from Ryegate, which still has a mural on a restroom wall that used to be on the outside...And inside has the 1950s style diner that was once filled with memorabilia, including a picture of a Roundup resident with Hall of Fame NBA player Wilt Chamberlain."

What will happen with other properties or buildings located along the floodplain? Are you a land owner in Roundup? If so, shoot us a message on the app.