While touring around White Sulphur Springs we, unfortunately, noticed a singular painted hydrant. That's not to say that others don't exist within the town, only that, should they exist, they never fell within our view.
Spotty was spied outside what was, when we visited, the
Meagher County City Library. The library has since moved on, but "Spotty" has steadfastly remained on precisely the spot the town (or the county, as the case may be) initially placed him, near the northwest corner of 1st Avenue & East Houston Street Southeast.
Wearing a somewhat grumpy looking looking countenance, it's possible that, when we visited, Spotty had already become aware that his friend, The Library, was due to depart, leaving him to fend for himself.
With a population of not much more than 1000 people, White Sulphur Springs is the county seat of Meagher County and is located in an excellent location in the Smith River Valley, surrounded by mountains about an hour away from Helena.
Originally known as Brewers Springs, after James Scott Brewer, who laid claim to the nearby thermal springs in 1866, just a decade later, in 1876, the town's name was changed to White Sulphur Springs. The hot springs are located within the
Hot Springs Motel, across the street and a mere 120 metres (400 feet) southwest of the courthouse. Three hot mineral spring pools are located in the motel complex.
Cattle ranching and tourism are the main drivers of the local economy. The area was once a mining mecca and old remnants of the town’s mining history, as well as a nearby ghost town, are located in the surrounding mountain ranges.