Livingston is the county seat of Park County and is in southwestern Montana, on the Yellowstone River, north of Yellowstone National Park.
The community was first named Clark City in honor of Herman Clark, a well-known contractor and builder for the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The town plat was filed later that year under the name Livingston in recognition of Johnston Livingston, a director and major stockholder of the railroad.
The railroad provided a means of transporting coal, wool, and cattle to market. It also enabled Livingston to serve as the original gateway to Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park. Mining and agriculture were additional economic factors in the town’s development.
Today, Livingston is the 11th largest city in Montana. Rail transportation continues to be a mainstay of the area’s economy, along with tourism, recreation, agriculture, and mining.
Park County Museum was founded in 1977. Community members and Park County purchased the historic North Side School, built in 1907, to house the museum, now known as the Yellowstone Gateway Museum of Park County.
This wooden washing machine was most likely manufactured in early 1900. There is a handle and gear mechanism when pulled back and forth operates the plunger inside to agitate the clothes. After much hard work the clothes were removed, and you will note a wringer attached near the top with a tension gear to adjust the roller tension.
The wooden washing machine is not identified.
The advent of the washing machines was intended to make wash day less daunting, this wooden washing machine is operated by a lever, still a difficult task.
Overall it is still in good condition and makes a fine example for the display.
Monday is wash day
Actually, the wringer is well identified and is a first I have seen.
Anchor Brand
L. M. Company
Erie, PA
Revolving Clothes Spreader
Patent: March 1st, 1898
Allows use of full width of rollers
Distributes clothes evenly
Feeds fabric without friction
