| Armstead | |
| Settlement Type: | Ghost town |
| Pushpin Map: | Montana |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Montana |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Beaverhead |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1907 |
| Named For: | Harry Armstead |
| Extinct Title: | Abandoned |
| Extinct Date: | 1962 |
| Elevation Ft: | 5545 |
| Coordinates: | 44.9725°N -112.8642°W |
Armstead is a former community in Beaverhead County, Montana, United States, about 21miles south of the county seat of Dillon. It was named after miner Harry Armstead.[1] Armstead was located in a narrow valley of the Beaverhead River, near the mouth of Horse Prairie Creek. The town was a station stop on the Union Pacific Railroad line from Idaho Falls, Idaho to Butte, Montana. There was a post office in Armstead from 1907 to 1962.
Armstead is perhaps best remembered as the eastern terminus and headquarters of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad, which operated a line from there to Salmon, Idaho between 1910 and 1939.
The Lewis and Clark expedition traveled past the future location of Armstead during its westward trek in 1805.[2]
The construction of Clark Canyon Dam in 1961 - 1964 created a reservoir that completely inundated the former site of Armstead. The town was still a viable community when the decision to build the dam was made. Because of this, some people do not categorize Armstead as being a ghost town. When the water level is low enough parts of the old highway, railroad, and even some building foundations are still visible.