This collection documents the transition of Virginia City, Montana, from mining camp and territorial capital to marketing center for the ranching and mining region of Madison County and southwest Montana.

The major portion of the collection consists of incoming correspondence (1872-1911) and outgoing correspondence (1878-1906) of Simeon R. Buford and of several of his business enterprises. The businesses include S.R. Buford and Company general mercantile; the Buford Horse and Cattle Company; Buford and Elling cattle business; The Virginia City and Sappington Stage Line, his sheep ranches at Valley Garden, Norwegian Gulch, and #9 Ranch; and Buford's postal contract. The largest portion of the correspondence is with merchandise suppliers and with rural customers. There is considerable correspondence with the managers of the Valley Garden and #9 Ranches concerning operation of the sheep and hay businesses.

Financial records include cash books (1881-1920), cash sales books (1880-1897), general ledgers (1878-1914), journal/daybooks (1880-1905), and documenting the day-to-day operations of the S.R. Buford and Company store. In addition there are bills of lading and freight bills (1878-1911) from several freighting companies and railroads. These document who the drivers were, what merchandise was transported by what route, and how much it cost. There are also invoices, orders, price lists from wholesale suppliers, receipts, and other scattered records.

The Simeon R. Buford Political Subgroup consists primarily of correspondence (1886-1904) concerning Buford's service in the Constitutional Convention and Legislature and his work for the Democratic Party.

The Charles H. Buford Subgroup consists of incoming correspondence (1885-1886, 1905-1909) primarily concerning his handling of the financial affairs of R.N. Hawkins.

The Buford Stage Lines Subgroup includes items from the Montana Stage Company, the Virginia City and Red Bluff Stage and Express Company, and the Virginia City and Sappington Stage Line, all owned by S.R. Buford and Company.