On March 17, 1876, the Battle of Powder River occurred about 34 miles (55 km) southwest of present-day Broadus, and on June 13, 1876, six companies of the 7th Cavalry led by Major Marcus Reno marched along the Powder River to within 10 miles (16 km) north of the town's present location before turning west toward the Little Bighorn.

The Broadus post office was established in 1900, and named after the Broaddus family, early settlers in the area.

In 1918 publication of the Broadus Independent began, and is still published today, although it is now called the Powder River Examiner.

As an incentive for voters choosing Broadus, Margaret Trautman promised a donation of 80 acres from her ranch to the town.

[7] When Belle Creek Oil Field opened in the late 1960s, the economy of Broadus boomed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.35 square miles (0.91 km2), all land.

There are significant diurnal temperature variations throughout the year, and strong continental seasonal swings between the warm to hot summers and the cold winters.

The Museum also has an original one-room schoolhouse, a pioneer cabin, jail cell, car barn, windmill, saddles, bits, spurs, displays representing early businesses, and a collection of artifacts from the Battle of Powder River.

The battlefield is accessible by Montana Secondary Highway 391, (Moorhead Road) on the west side of the Powder River.

There is a rock monument with the headstones of four soldiers killed there as well as a small Northern Cheyenne memorial marking the site.

[21] Annual events include a July 4 Celebration, County Fair in August, street dances, and a Christmas stroll early in December.