When Preston Boyd Moss passed through Billings in 1891, he was convinced that this was the place he could live and prosper. When he again arrived in Billings in 1892, he was ready to begin his dream. In less than a year he rose to the position of vice-president of the First National Bank and was named its president by 1896. Moss' stature and finances grew as he became part owner of a sheep ranch, owner of the Billings Gazette, built the Northern Hotel in 1904, led to the building of the B.L.& L. canal that irrigated large areas east of Billings, and helped start Billings Polytechnic Institute (now Rocky Mountain College) in 1941.

Moss had many large dreams, one of which was to build a home in Billings for his family that was as big as his dreams. Moss spared no expense to bring in the finest building materials and furnishings from around the country and the world. The Moss Mansion, when built, was next to a wheat field on the far western end of Billings. Like Moss' dreams, the city of Billings has grown and owes much of its success to men like P.B. Moss and their dreams.