I live in Sweet Grass County. The high school is known as the Sheepherders. And yes, this is their mascot. Yep.
Evidently a few years ago there was discussion about the sheepherder and the fact that he is smoking – this is when Big Timber was getting a new water tower and the mascot would be going on the tower. I guess the vote was to keep this old guy as is. Is he fantastic or WHAT?!
Big Timber’s history is grounded in the sheep herding industry: in 1895 Big Timber had the largest wool market in the United States. There is a very strong Norwegian influence here, many residents are still of Norwegian descent and discussion of this permeates many conversations. There is much good humored banter about Norwegian characteristics and mannerisms. Lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian flat bread, is often made during the holidays.