Ashland is on the Tongue River at the mouth of Otter Creek. The post office was established under this name in 1886; previously it had been called Birney and Strader. Ashland is division headquarters for the Custer National Forest, and it’s possible the name comes from the abundance of ash trees. The town is a trade center for a group of cattle ranchers and for Indians from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) A historical buffalo jump, burial sites of Indian chiefs, Custer's last camp before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Cheyenne Indian Museum, Ten Bears Gallery, Saint Labre Indian School and the Ashland Powwow are of special interest in the Ashland area. Lame Deer is tribal headquarters and home of the Cheyenne Powwow. Cheyenne Trail Rides are available.
Ashland is also the division headquarters for the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and it's possible the name comes from the abundance of ash trees. A historical buffalo jump, burial sites of Indian chiefs, Custer's last camp before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Cheyenne Indian Museum, Ten Bears Gallery, Saint Labre Indian School and the Ashland Powwow are of special interest in the Ashland area.