The recorded history of Billings begins in 1877, when a trading post and stage station called Coulson, after the local steamship manager, were established near what is now known as Alkali Creek. In 1882, the area was surveyed by the Northern Pacific Railroad and renamed after Frederick Billings, a former president of the Northern Pacific. These commercial interests have in turn supported Billings as a center for education , medical facilities , and cultural activities .
Recreational opportunities abound.
Outdoor enthusiasts can backpack in the nearby Beartooth-Absaroka Wilderness and Custer and Gallatin National Forests, fish along Rock Creek and the Boulder, Stillwater and Yellowstone Rivers and their tributaries, and, within a short drive, hunt elk, moose, mule and whitetail deer, upland birds and waterfowl. Other forms of nearby recreation include downhill and cross-country skiing, canoeing and kayaking, snow shoeing and windsurfing on area reservoirs. Those interested in higher learning can choose from a variety of programs at several institutions, depending on their needs. Public libraries in Billings and the surrounding communities provide additional learning opportunities. The Billings public school district is two separate and distinct school districts operating under a unified board of trustees.