L. Price Park Dedication

This Saturday, Baker will celebrate the dedication of L. Price Park, a new public space honoring the legacy of Llewellyn Price and the L. Price Company, one of Baker’s earliest and most iconic businesses, founded in 1910. The park is located on the original site of L. Price Company, a hardware and furniture store that became a cornerstone of Baker’s early development.

Llewellyn Price recognized the potential of Baker due to its railroad and north-south crossroads, establishing his business with an initial investment of $3,000. The L. Price Company sold everything from barbed wire to automobiles and John Deere equipment. It was even the town’s first car dealership and introduced Baker’s first gasoline pump in 1915. The store also housed a mortuary upstairs, known as the Owen Funeral Home, run by Price’s brother-in-law, T.L. Owen. The L. Price Company became a household name for generations, continuing operations until its closure in 1985.

The dedication of L. Price Park will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 AM, a brief history of the building that once stood on the site, and speeches from members of the Price family. The park's entrance arch has been designed to resemble the original entrance to L. Price Company, preserving a piece of Baker’s history for future generations.

L. Price Park will serve as the first stop on the newly launched Baker History Walk, a project developed by SMART (Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team) in partnership with the O'Fallon Historical Society. The History Walk will take residents and visitors through downtown Baker, highlighting historic buildings and businesses. This project was made possible by a grant from Reimagining Rural and AARP.

The creation of L. Price Park is a significant milestone for SMART, who purchased the property in 2019 along with the Baker State Bank Building. The park has been developed through a series of grants supporting SMART's revitalization efforts, including funding from the Montana Main Street Program, Grid United's Community Investment Program, Visit Southeast Montana, the Montana Department of Commerce, Montana Tourism, and generous donations from the community. Further donations are still being accepted to help with the continued development of this and future projects.

This dedication is a unique opportunity to celebrate Baker’s rich history and the contributions of the L. Price Company to the town's growth. Join us for the unveiling of this historical park and the exciting debut of the Baker History Walk.

Event Details:
Date: This Saturday
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: L. Price Park, Downtown Baker