Keith O'Neil: history teacher at Park City High School, shares his journey and passion for teaching history, recounting his inspirations, college experiences, and the interesting move back to teaching after years in sales. We explore a treasure trove of historical topics, from the American Civil War and the Bozeman Trail to fascinating local Montana history. Dive deep into riveting tales about Fort Smith, the Custer Battlefield, Chinese immigrant Lee Lute, and other colorful characters from the Wild West era. Don't miss out on this history-packed episode filled with stories, personal anecdotes, and the enduring quest for historical truth!

Connect with Cole Waltner at @ChasingTheWildOutdoors

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Keith O'Neil

01:19 Keith's Journey to Becoming a History Teacher

01:59 The Importance of Engaging History Lessons

05:24 Returning to College Later in Life

06:44 Balancing Career and Passion

11:48 The Value of Life Experience in Teaching

17:41 Returning to Hometown and Family

23:02 Exploring Local History and Personal Interests

41:10 Discussing Custer and Crazy Horse

42:18 Elizabeth Custer's Campaign

44:11 Black Elk's Story

46:44 Battlefield Visits and Reenactments

49:32 Engaging Students in History

54:32 Field Trips and Historical Sites

01:12:28 Montana History and Notable Figures

01:21:07 Personal History and Fort Benton

01:23:38 Exploring Forts and Historical Sites

01:26:39 Metal Detecting at Fort Smith

01:39:23 Crow Agency and Local Legends

01:49:08 Bill Hamilton's Epic Life

01:54:32 Colonel Allen's Legacy

01:55:29 The Mysterious Cannon Explosion

01:57:32 Historical Figures of Columbus

01:58:20 Introducing Lee Lute

01:59:23 Lee Lute's Adventures and Research

02:00:14 The Fascinating Story of Lee Lute

02:03:36 Colonel Norton and the Civil War

02:11:21 The Tong Wars and Lee Lute's Fate

02:24:38 Artifacts and Historical Discoveries

02:26:09 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans