By Taylor Owens
Bozeman’s northeast neighborhood is the city’s up and coming community born out of the roots of the Brewery Historic District. This neighborhood is also home to Wildlands, the newest bespoke living community, settled in the heart of the neighborhood.
Wildlands units are footsteps away from the best coffee shops, music venues, fitness studios and amenities that Bozeman has to offer. With a mix of Scandinavian-Modern architecture and industrial elements, this new development blends perfectly with the new establishments in the northeast neighborhood, as well as the older, repurposed mill buildings and historic structures that make up the history of the brewery district.
Steeped in history
Explore the epitome of luxury intertwined with history, where the legacy of Julius Lehrkind unfolds with a tale of resilience and prosperity. In 1860, Lehrkind, escaping compulsory service in the German militia, clandestinely boarded a ship destined for America. Already a seasoned brewmaster’s apprentice, Lehrkind effortlessly secured employment upon arrival, setting the stage for a remarkable journey.
The brewery that once did business in Bozeman’s Northeast Neighborhood. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES
Fast forward eight years, and a substantial inheritance empowered Lehrkind and his brother, Fred, to establish a distinguished brewery in the charming locale of Davenport, Iowa. Tragedy struck with the unexpected demise of Fred and his wife, leading Lehrkind to amalgamate their four children with Fred’s six. In a strategic move, he sold the Iowa brewery and embarked on a new chapter in southwest Montana, drawn by the allure of high quality water and abundant barley cultivated by Dutch settlers near Manhattan.
In 1895, the Lehrkind legacy took root in Bozeman, as Julius, with his extensive family and dedicated brewery crew, orchestrated the establishment of a thriving brewery, operational by the year’s end. The culmination of this success materialized in 1898 when he erected a majestic Queen Anne style residence, an architectural masterpiece that spoke to the family’s affluence. This mansion still stands today as a reminder of the area’s storied past marked with a historic plaque.
The opulence continued to flourish as, in 1908 and 1912, his nephew and son crafted their own tasteful residences adjacent to the family mansion, creating an enclave of refined living. As brewing technology advanced and global lager production surged, the Bozeman Brewery ascended to prosperity, annually producing an impressive 40,000 barrels of beer and supplying malted barley to breweries statewide.
Throughout the years, past the brewery’s lifespan, the building transformed into different locales, serving as an ice plant, warehouse, and later, a creamery. The remaining structures in this district and surrounding residences stand as a testament to the enduring Old World family business traditions introduced by Lehrkind in Montana.
Today’s bustling enclave
Wildlands opened this winter, 2023. This new development blends old and new in Bozeman’s historic Northeast Neighborhood. RENDERING BY OUTLAW REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
Today, the northeast neighborhood is home to some of the most up-and-coming businesses in Bozeman. Establishments like Wild Crumb bakery, situated directly below Wildlands, draws crowds from across the Gallatin Valley, Big Sky, and other areas of Montana for their delicious breads, pastries and varied selection unlike any other in this region.
The best coffee shops in the city sit in this neighborhood with Treeline Coffee Roasters, specializing in single-origin coffee and good vibes, next door to Wildlands and Roly Poly Coffee Co., a hidden treasure, just a short jaunt from the development’s front doors.
Bozeman is quickly becoming known for hosting some of the best artists and musicians, and the northeast neighborhood has a venue all its own. Live from the Divide is an intimate music venue known for hosting musicians like Tyler Childers, The Stone Foxes, and The Dead & Down, just a few feet from Wildlands.
Converted grain mills throughout the neighborhood house galleries with works by local artists with doors open to the public to peruse. Tinworks Art, a local non-profit, sets up art installations for the public to enjoy near Wildlands. Most recently, the Invisible Prairie installation offered a unique opportunity to connect to the poetry, fragility, and mystery of America’s grasslands through sculpture, video, painting, and audio works to all who happened to stop by and witness the setting.
Neighborhood-specific events take place in this district throughout the year, bringing community members together. Events like the Northside Christmas Stroll, the Parade of Sheds, and Cranksgiving have brought Bozemanites out to enjoy the local businesses this area has to offer and socialize with their neighbors.
The outdoor access and emphasis on connecting with nature is what makes Bozeman special, and there is no exception in the northeast neighborhood. When you step out of Wildlands, you can easily walk to green spaces like Northern Pacific Park, or go for a jog and connect to the Main Street to the Mountains trail, a path connecting Bozeman’s classic Main Street all the way to the Bridger Mountains. The walkability of this neighborhood cannot be overstated.
Distance from your new home at Wildlands
Wild Crumb – 0.0 ft – Cozy hub for organic breads, classic pastries such as croissants & tarts, plus sandwiches & coffee
Fink’s Delicatessen – 0.0 ft – Family-owned deli serving sandwiches on homemade bread, as well as a selection of charcuterie
Alter Cycles – 6.6 ft – Bozeman’s community bicycle shop
Medium Gallery – 160.8 ft – A location that connects art, design and technology. A gallery, as well as a collaborative work space, showroom, and sensory living environment
Emergence Movement and Wellness – 282.2 ft – Fitness and wellness studio offering a variety of classes like yoga, dance, breathwork and women’s circle
Echo Arts – 334.6 ft – Contemporary art gallery dedicated to exhibiting regional, national and international artists
Treeline Coffee Roasters – 377.3 ft – A female founded and operated coffee roaster, specializing in single origin coffees and all around good vibes
Misco Mill Gallery – 429.8 ft – An art gallery that houses unique and functional art for homes, offices, restaurants and anything in between
Zuri Salon – 439.6 ft – Innovative salon offering cutting edge services and techniques
Live From The Divide – 488.8 ft – Small, intimate music venue featuring guests like Tyler Childers, four or six times a month artists take the small stage
Mischa’s – 498.7 ft – Small wine store and purveyor of fine foods
Gangbusters Pottery – 0.1 mi – Handmade, highly functional porcelain pieces for everyday use. Crafted in Bozeman by Ryan Mitchell
Theory Hair Salon – 0.1 mi – Collaborative hair salon with a core group of stylists committed to community and positivity
Bridger Pilates – 0.1 mi – Contemporary pilates studio that focuses on catering to the individual needs of each unique client
Northern Pacific Park – 0.2 mi – Green space adjacent to the remnants of the Northern Pacific passenger train rail
Tinworks Art – 0.2 mi – 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides welcoming, immersive, and contemporary art experiences for all members of the community
Mountains Walking Brewery – 0.2 mi – Satisfying beer and food experience with over 20 taps of beer that couldn’t come from anywhere except Bozeman
Starlite Bozeman – 0.2 mi – Dance and movement studio for dance enthusiasts
Grizzly Pine – Cannabis Store – 0.3 mi – Small neighborhood cannabis dispensary
Roly Poly Coffee Co. – 0.3 mi – Specialty coffee and multi-roasting operation
Bozeman Brewing Company – 0.3 mi – Neighborhood microbrewery pairing its craft beers with a popular tasting room & events
Bridger Bowl Ski Area – 20 min drive – 2,000 acres of skier and rider accessible terrain featuring light and fluffy “cold smoke” snow. Averaging 350 inches of snow a year with a 2,700 ft vertical rise serviced by eight chairlifts
