My best friend came to visit last fall and one of the places I took her to explore was Red Lodge, where I was so excited to show her the bank building and plaque noting the role it played in the lives of the notorious Sundance Kid.

In the stories of the Wild West, a failed bank robbery in Red Lodge is well-known. Before Sundance Kid rode with Butch Cassidy, he joined forces with the equally famous Kid Curry. Both were known for being fast and accurate with their six-shooters, and they were good at avoiding the law... until they met their match in Red Lodge, Montana.

The Ill-Fated Robbery

The story of the Red Lodge - Belle Fourche Robbery started on June 28, 1897, when Sundance Kid, Kid Curry, Tom Oday, Walt Puteney, and George Curry robbed the Belle Fourche bank in South Dakota, and successfully escaped with the loot, a measly $87. However, their small success turned into a nightmare as the law closed in on them.

The Pursuit

As they looked for safety in the well-known hideout called Hole in the Wall, their chances of escaping were crushed as a group of people, motivated by the possibility of big rewards and angered by the outlaws' audacity, began to close in. As news spread quickly via telegraph about the robbers, the outlaws had no place to hide.

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The Daring Escape

Desperate, they came up with a bold plan: they would use their guns to rob the bank in Red Lodge. But their attempt in Red Lodge was full of bad luck. When the local police found out they were there, they acted quickly assembled a posse, and set the stage for a dramatic chase that would unfold both in real life and the pages of history.

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The Historic Trail

The route the robbers took, from Hole in the Wall to Red Lodge now allows explorers and history lovers to follow the same route taken by these well-known outlaws. This trail shows what happened during the outlaws' failed escape, complete with beautiful views and important historical sites.

Legacy Lingers

The impact of the attempted robbery in Red Lodge can still be felt in the town. The buildings that saw the outlaws still show signs of that time, and the bank they tried to rob reminds everyone who visits of the town's fascinating history.

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