Lewistown, Montana

Lewistown, Montana
City

Mainstreet Lewistown
Motto: "Home of Big Springs and the purest drinking water in the world!"[1]

Location of Lewistown, Montana
Coordinates: 47°3′53″N 109°25′48″W / 47.06472°N 109.43000°W / 47.06472; -109.43000Coordinates: 47°3′53″N 109°25′48″W / 47.06472°N 109.43000°W / 47.06472; -109.43000
Country United States
State Montana
County Fergus
Area[2]
 • Total 5.32 sq mi (13.78 km2)
 • Land 5.32 sq mi (13.78 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 3,950 ft (1,204 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 5,901
 • Estimate (2012[4]) 5,857
 • Density 1,109.2/sq mi (428.3/km2)
Time zone Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code 59457
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-43375
GNIS feature ID 0798996
Website http://www.cityoflewistown.com

Lewistown is a city in and the county seat of Fergus County, Montana, United States.[5] The population was 5,901 at the 2010 census. Lewistown is located in central Montana, the geographic center of the state, southeast of Great Falls. First planned in 1882, it was the site of an 1880s gold rush.

History

The area that is now Lewistown was once the territory of the Blackfoot Native Americans. In 1874, Fort Lewis was established there by the Company "F" of the 7th U.S. Infantry to provide military protection for people traveling on the Carroll Trail, the then shortest route between Carroll, Montana and Helena. Lewistown is named after this fort.[6]

The first permanent settlers of Lewistown were Métis. The Metis established Lewistown in 1879.[7] Pierre Berger is credited with being the founder of Lewistown. Berger, along with his wife Judith Wilkie Berger, son Isadore Berger, Isaie Berger, Jean Baptiste Berger and Jacques Berger, as well as several other families made the trek into the Lewistown area in 1879. Francis Janeaux came with the second group. Janeaux founded the first public school house in 1883. This date is considered the official "founding" of Lewistown.

Lewistown was also the site of a gold rush when gold was discovered in the nearby Judith Mountains in 1880. Before the gold rush, Maiden was the largest city in central Montana. When the gold supply ran out, many of the miners gained new employment in Lewistown and settled there permanently.

Lewistown was the eastern terminus of the Montana Railroad which connected with Lombard, Montana, a distance of approximately 157 miles (253 km) miles. The railroad connected with the national railway network via a connection with the Northern Pacific Railway at Lombard. The Montana Railroad line was constructed between 1895 and 1903, and operated independently until 1908, when it was acquired by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road").[8]

During World War II, in 1942 the US Army Air Corps established a B-17 training base just west of Lewistown to train aircrews for missions in North Africa and Europe. The former airbase is now the Lewistown Municipal Airport.

Geography

Lewistown is located at 47°3′53″N 109°25′48″W / 47.06472°N 109.43000°W / 47.06472; -109.43000 (47.064615, -109.429882).[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.32 square miles (13.78 km2), all land.[2]

The city is located in the exact center of the state of Montana and is part of the Rocky Mountains. The city's water source is Big Spring Creek, which originates in the foothills of the Big Snowy Mountains 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Lewistown.

Climate

Lewistown experiences a dry continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, dry winters and short, warm, wetter summers.[10]

Climate data for Lewistown Municipal Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 73
(23)		 70
(21)		 88
(31)		 89
(32)		 98
(37)		 105
(41)		 105
(41)		 103
(39)		 99
(37)		 92
(33)		 81
(27)		 74
(23)		 105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 31.9
(−0.1)		 36.3
(2.4)		 42.9
(6.1)		 53.2
(11.8)		 62.6
(17)		 71.5
(21.9)		 79.5
(26.4)		 79.9
(26.6)		 68.7
(20.4)		 57.3
(14.1)		 42.0
(5.6)		 34.2
(1.2)		 55
(12.78)
Daily mean °F (°C) 21.3
(−5.9)		 25.5
(−3.6)		 32.1
(0.1)		 41.2
(5.1)		 50.1
(10.1)		 58.2
(14.6)		 64.5
(18.1)		 64.6
(18.1)		 54.6
(12.6)		 44.2
(6.8)		 31.1
(−0.5)		 23.4
(−4.8)		 42.57
(5.89)
Average low °F (°C) 10.6
(−11.9)		 14.7
(−9.6)		 21.3
(−5.9)		 29.2
(−1.6)		 37.6
(3.1)		 44.9
(7.2)		 49.5
(9.7)		 49.2
(9.6)		 40.4
(4.7)		 31.1
(−0.5)		 20.1
(−6.6)		 12.6
(−10.8)		 30.1
(−1.05)
Record low °F (°C) −46
(−43)		 −42
(−41)		 −28
(−33)		 −17
(−27)		 11
(−12)		 21
(−6)		 27
(−3)		 27
(−3)		 6
(−14)		 −10
(−23)		 −30
(−34)		 −42
(−41)		 −46
(−43)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.89
(22.6)		 0.57
(14.5)		 1.16
(29.5)		 1.38
(35.1)		 2.92
(74.2)		 2.93
(74.4)		 2.10
(53.3)		 1.89
(48)		 1.38
(35.1)		 1.06
(26.9)		 0.74
(18.8)		 0.83
(21.1)		 17.85
(453.5)
Source #1: NOAA (normals, 1971–2000) [11]
Source #2: The Weather Channel (Records) [12]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
188072—
1890785990.3%
19001,09639.6%
19102,992173.0%
19206,120104.5%
19305,358−12.5%
19405,8749.6%
19506,57311.9%
19607,40812.7%
19706,437−13.1%
19807,10410.4%
19906,051−14.8%
20005,813−3.9%
20105,9011.5%
Est. 20145,867[13]−0.6%
source:[14][15]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 5,901 people, 2,761 households, and 1,512 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,109.2 inhabitants per square mile (428.3/km2). There were 3,007 housing units at an average density of 565.2 per square mile (218.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.4% White, 0.3% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 2,761 households of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 45.4 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 21.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 5,813 people, 2,594 households, and 1,507 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,055.3 people per square mile (1,181.3/km²). There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 1,507.4 per square mile (582.8/km²).

The racial makeup of the city was 96.53% White, 0.07% African American, 1.41% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.

There were 2,594 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,949, and the median income for a family was $36,888. Males had a median income of $30,231 versus $20,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,817. About 9.0% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Chokecherries

The Chokecherry Festival is an annual event that includes a chokecherry culinary contest, pit spitting contest, 5k run/walk and 10k run. The event has been held for more than twenty-three years.[17]
The Metis Celebration is the only celebration for Metis people within the continental USA. Traditionally held on labor day weekend, this festival includes a pow wow, fiddling, jigging, and other Metis related activities. 2015 will be the 21st year for the festival[18]

Media

Radio

Notable people

Loren Acton in 2009

References

  1. ↑ "The City of Lewistown Montana". The City of Lewistown Montana. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  3. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  4. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ↑ "Profile for Lewistown, Montana, MT". ePodunk. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ Jacqueline Peterson and Jennifer S. H. Brown, The New Peoples: Being and Becoming Metis in North America (St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001) p. 7
  8. ↑ Baker, Don B. (1990). The Montana Railroad: Alias : The Jawbone. Boulder, Colorado: Fred Pruett Books. ISBN 978-0962386817.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ Climate Summary for Lewistown, Montana
  11. ↑ "Climatography of the United States NO.81" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Lewistown, MT". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 132.
  15. ↑ "Subcounty population estimates: Montana 2000-2007" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  16. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  17. ↑ "Chokecherry Festival". Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Metis celebrate culture with music, powwow". The Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  19. ↑ "LOREN W. ACTON (PH.D.)". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Montana Governor Roy Elmer Ayers". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Bobby Petrino". Pro-Footbal-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  22. ↑ Our Campaigns.com.-Mike Taylor (Montana)
  23. ↑ "STOUT, Tom, (1879 - 1965)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  24. ↑ http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=ottenji01

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lewistown, Montana.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lewistown, Montana.


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