If you’ve been through Three Forks, Montana, and never stopped by Jim’s Horn House, then buckle up—this local gem is one for the books. A true shrine to antlers, it’s not just a barn full of sheds but a testament to one man’s unmatched passion for the great outdoors. Jim “Antler Man” Phillips, the legend behind it all, sadly passed away in May 2023, but his spirit is forever embedded in this Montana town. Growing up playing in river bottoms and Buttleman’s field, Jim’s love for collecting antlers started young. By the time he was zigzagging solo through Yellowstone’s hillsides as a kid, it was clear—this man didn’t do anything halfway.
Fast forward, and Jim’s world-class antler collection became so incredible that people traveled from across the globe just to see it. But Jim wasn’t just about sheds—he was a rock wall architect, a devoted family man, a gifted writer and a bulldog fanatic (yes, he named them all after candy bars). Whether he was building pumpkin patches for preschoolers, writing his column “A View from the Trail” or logging 50,000 miles on his exercise bike (you read that right), Jim poured his heart into everything he touched. Jim’s Horn House is an example of that, although, it is unclear if it is still free and open to the public. However, you can take a virtual tour here by checking out photos and stories on his personal website, and check out the video via Great Big Story from 2017 below.
Montana is a beautiful state on its own, but the people, past and present, who love Montana as it is, sure do make this place even more amazing.
Feature photo credit: Meateater
