Baker, Montana

Baker
City
Fallon County Library
Nickname:  "Friendly City"
Location of Baker, Montana
Coordinates: 46°21′53″N104°16′30″W / 46.36472°N 104.27500°W / 46.36472; -104.27500
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Fallon
Area [1]
• Total	1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2)
• Land	1.13 sq mi (2.93 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,940 ft (900 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,802
• Density	1,594.69/sq mi (615.96/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes	59313, 59354
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-03475
GNIS feature ID	2409772 [2]
Website	www.bakermontana.us

Baker is a city in and the county seat of Fallon County, Montana, United States. ^[3] The population was 1,802 at the 2020 census. ^[4]

It was named after A. G. Baker, an engineer with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. ^[5]

History

Baker was built along the transcontinental rail line of the Milwaukee Road near where the railroad created a lake to supply water to its steam locomotives. The city was known as Lorraine for a brief time before being renamed in honor of Milwaukee Road engineer A.G. Baker. ^[6] A successful Milwaukee Land Company campaign to attract homesteaders to the area allowed the city to grow and serve a large community of dryland farmers. Additional growth occurred following the 1912 discovery of oil and natural gas deposits nearby. ^[7]

In 2014, Baker was described as "a busy, noisy, traffic-jammed, bursting-at-the-seams boomtown on the edge of the oil fields." ^[8] On June 11, 2016 an EF-3 Tornado struck Baker destroying several houses and damaging dozens more, killing multiple horses in the area and injuring six people.

Geography

U.S. Route 12 passes through town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.07 square miles (2.77 km²), of which 0.97 square miles (2.51 km²) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km²) is water. ^[9]

Sandstone rock is the predominant feature. Nearby Medicine Rocks State Park has many unusual sandstone rock formations.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Baker has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Baker was 108 °F (42 °C) on July 23, 2007, June 26, 2012, and August 12, 2018, while the coldest temperature recorded was −34 °F (−37 °C) on February 14, 2021. ^[10]

Climate data for Baker, Montana (Baker Municipal Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	61 (16)	68 (20)	82 (28)	93 (34)	94 (34)	108 (42)	108 (42)	108 (42)	101 (38)	91 (33)	80 (27)	70 (21)	108 (42)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	50.0 (10.0)	50.7 (10.4)	68.1 (20.1)	77.7 (25.4)	83.6 (28.7)	92.8 (33.8)	99.6 (37.6)	98.6 (37.0)	93.4 (34.1)	79.9 (26.6)	67.7 (19.8)	52.5 (11.4)	101.4 (38.6)
Average high °F (°C)	28.3 (−2.1)	31.4 (−0.3)	43.0 (6.1)	54.7 (12.6)	65.3 (18.5)	75.8 (24.3)	85.4 (29.7)	84.6 (29.2)	73.3 (22.9)	56.6 (13.7)	42.0 (5.6)	31.2 (−0.4)	56.0 (13.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)	17.7 (−7.9)	20.9 (−6.2)	31.6 (−0.2)	42.3 (5.7)	52.6 (11.4)	62.8 (17.1)	70.7 (21.5)	69.1 (20.6)	58.6 (14.8)	43.8 (6.6)	30.8 (−0.7)	20.7 (−6.3)	43.5 (6.4)
Average low °F (°C)	7.0 (−13.9)	10.3 (−12.1)	20.2 (−6.6)	29.9 (−1.2)	40.0 (4.4)	49.9 (9.9)	56.1 (13.4)	53.7 (12.1)	44.0 (6.7)	31.1 (−0.5)	19.5 (−6.9)	10.2 (−12.1)	31.0 (−0.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−18.6 (−28.1)	−16.7 (−27.1)	−3.1 (−19.5)	12.5 (−10.8)	26.5 (−3.1)	39.1 (3.9)	46.5 (8.1)	41.7 (5.4)	30.7 (−0.7)	13.9 (−10.1)	−3.2 (−19.6)	−16.7 (−27.1)	−26.8 (−32.7)
Record low °F (°C)	−31 (−35)	−34 (−37)	−28 (−33)	−5 (−21)	15 (−9)	30 (−1)	41 (5)	36 (2)	22 (−6)	−4 (−20)	−17 (−27)	−33 (−36)	−34 (−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.22 (5.6)	0.25 (6.4)	0.53 (13)	1.35 (34)	2.66 (68)	2.81 (71)	2.03 (52)	1.49 (38)	1.53 (39)	1.10 (28)	0.43 (11)	0.18 (4.6)	14.58 (370.6)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	5.8 (15)	5.8 (15)	5.3 (13)	3.6 (9.1)	1.1 (2.8)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	1.2 (3.0)	1.8 (4.6)	4.8 (12)	29.4 (74.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.4	5.1	5.6	8.2	12.3	12.2	8.6	8.1	8.0	8.2	4.4	3.7	87.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	2.9	3.8	2.3	0.9	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	1.3	2.7	14.8
Source 1: NOAA [11]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima and minima 2006–2020) [10]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	1,067		—
1930	1,212		13.6%
1940	1,304		7.6%
1950	1,772		35.9%
1960	2,365		33.5%
1970	2,584		9.3%
1980	2,354		−8.9%
1990	1,818		−22.8%
2000	1,695		−6.8%
2010	1,741		2.7%
2020	1,802		3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [4]

2010 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2010, there were 1,741 people, 763 households, and 459 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,794.8 inhabitants per square mile (693.0/km²). There were 884 housing units at an average density of 911.3 per square mile (351.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 763 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,695 people, 694 households, and 455 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,974.8 inhabitants per square mile (762.5/km²). There were 855 housing units at an average density of 996.2 per square mile (384.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.11% White, 0.24% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population.

There were 694 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,893, and the median income for a family was $42,375. Males had a median income of $30,667 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,461. About 7.7% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

O'Fallon Historical Museum is home to the world's largest steer. ^[12]

The Fallon County Library serves the town of Baker. ^[13]

Education

Baker Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ^[14] Baker High School has an enrollment of 140, which places it in class B within the Montana high school sports system. The school mascot is the 'Spartan'. ^[15] The Spartans have won 6 State Football Championships under long time coach Don Schillinger.

Media

The Fallon County Times is the local newspaper. It is published weekly. ^[16]

Two radio stations are licensed in Baker: KFLN AM ^[17] , a country station, and KJJM FM ^[18] , featuring classic rock music.

Infrastructure

U.S. Route 12 passes through town from east to west. Montana Highway 7 runs north to south through town.

The Baker Municipal Airport is located one nautical mile (1.15 mi, 1.85 km) southeast of Baker's central business district. ^[19]

Notable people

• Bill Bowman ^[20] , North Dakota state senator
• Irene Lentz, Hollywood costume designer
• Tyler Lyson ^[21] , paleontologist (from North Dakota but attended Baker High School)
• Shann Schillinger ^[22] , NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons
• Jack Westrope ^[23] , Hall of Fame jockey

See also

• List of cities and towns in Montana

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Baker, Montana
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
5. "Origins of Names on Milwaukee". Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times. August 22, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
6. Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983). Names on the Face of Montana. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 5. ISBN   0-87842-150-5.
7. "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Place Names From Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
8. Wilson, Kurt (July 16, 2014). "Roadside wanderings: Wild West spirit, solitude still rule southeast Montana". Missoulian. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
10. "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
12. "O'Fallon Historical Museum". O’Fallon Historical Museum. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
13. "Fallon County Library" . Retrieved April 12, 2021.
14. "Baker Public Schools". Baker Public Schools. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
15. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
16. "Fallon County Times". Fallon County Times. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
17. "KFLN". FCC. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
18. "KJJM". FCC. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
19. FAA Airport Form 5010 for BHK PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective June 30, 2011.
20. "Former state senator remembered for his tenacity". Bowman County Pioneer. August 21, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
21. Carroll, Sean B. (October 29, 2012). "For Dakota Paleontologist, It All Started With a Turtle". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
22. "Shann Schillinger". Montana Grizzlies. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
23. "Jack Westrope". National Museum of Racing. Retrieved September 3, 2023.

External links

• Chamber of Commerce page
• Baker schools