Lewistown, Montana

Lewistown
City
Main Street in Lewistown
Motto(s):  "Home of Big Springs and the purest drinking water in the world!" [1]
Location of Lewistown, Montana
Coordinates: 47°3′53″N109°25′48″W / 47.06472°N 109.43000°W / 47.06472; -109.43000
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Fergus
Area [2]
• Total	5.72 sq mi (14.82 km2)
• Land	5.72 sq mi (14.82 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	3,947 ft (1,203 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,952
• Density	1,040.20/sq mi (401.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59457
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-43375
GNIS feature ID	0798996 [3]
Website	http://www.cityoflewistown.com

Lewistown is a city in and the county seat of Fergus County, Montana, United States. ^[4] The population was 5,952 at the 2020 census. ^[5] Lewistown is located in the geographic center of the state, southeast of Great Falls and northwest of Billings. First planned in 1882, it was the site of an 1880s gold rush, and served as an important railway destination, supplying surrounding communities with bricks via rail.

History

The area was the territory of the Blackfoot Native Americans. In 1874, Fort Lewis was established there by Company "F" of the 7th U.S. Infantry to provide military protection for people traveling on the Carroll Trail, then the 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. Lewistown became an incorporated city in 1899.

Lewistown was 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). 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 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 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, which is home to the last remaining Norden bombsight storage facility, used to keep the device safe from theft by enemy spies during World War II . ^[9] The city park displays a Minuteman III ballistic missile.

Geography

U.S. Highway 87 intersects with U.S. Route 191 in town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.32 square miles (13.78 km²), all land. ^[10]

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 relatively dry humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, dry and usually cold winters and short, warm, wetter summers. ^[11] Winter weather can either be severe due to the movement of cold polar air from Canada, or occasionally very mild or even warm due to gusty chinook winds. On average 9.3 afternoons will reach 50 °F (10 °C) during the three winter months, but on the other hand, 46.6 afternoons during a full year will fail to top freezing, 0 °F (−17.8 °C) is reached on 21.5 mornings and −25 °F (−31.7 °C) on two mornings each winter, with as many as twelve this cold during the severe winter of 1928–29. Temperatures do not consistently stay above freezing until June: the average window for freezing temperatures is from September 19 to May 23 – allowing a "growing season" of 92 days – and for subfreezing maxima from October 26 to April 2. The hottest temperature at Lewistown has been 105 °F (40.6 °C) on June 21, 1900 and July 31, 1900, and the coldest −46 °F (−43.3 °C) on 28 January 1929. The hottest minimum has been 71 °F (21.7 °C) on July 17, 1925, and the coldest maximum −28 °F (−33.3 °C) on January 29, 1916; the coldest month was January 1950 which averaged −1.8 °F (−18.8 °C).

During the summer, days are very warm, but nights remain cool and rare freezes have occurred. Most precipitation is from spring thunderstorms: the wettest calendar year has been 1953 with 28.61 inches (726.7 mm) and the driest 2021 with 10.91 inches (277.1 mm). Despite the dry conditions, winter snowfall is substantial with an average of 63.1 inches (1.60 m); however the frequent chinooks keep mean snow cover down to 9 inches (0.23 m) in January. The most snow on the ground has been 33 inches (0.84 m) on February 1 and 2, 1978. February 1978 also had the highest mean snow cover at 27.1 inches or 0.69 metres; the snowiest year has been 1955 with 172.5 inches (4.38 m) and the least snowy was 1992 with only 30.2 inches (0.77 m), and the most snow in a month 41.0 inches (1.04 m) during March 1954.

Climate data for Lewistown, Montana (Lewistown Municipal Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present
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)	100 (38)	92 (33)	81 (27)	74 (23)	105 (41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	54.4 (12.4)	54.3 (12.4)	64.2 (17.9)	74.8 (23.8)	80.4 (26.9)	87.6 (30.9)	94.1 (34.5)	94.5 (34.7)	90.0 (32.2)	79.5 (26.4)	65.9 (18.8)	53.9 (12.2)	96.5 (35.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	34.4 (1.3)	35.3 (1.8)	44.3 (6.8)	53.0 (11.7)	62.6 (17.0)	71.0 (21.7)	81.6 (27.6)	81.1 (27.3)	70.4 (21.3)	56.0 (13.3)	43.4 (6.3)	35.0 (1.7)	55.7 (13.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	23.7 (−4.6)	24.6 (−4.1)	32.9 (0.5)	40.9 (4.9)	50.0 (10.0)	58.0 (14.4)	66.1 (18.9)	65.4 (18.6)	55.9 (13.3)	43.4 (6.3)	32.1 (0.1)	24.3 (−4.3)	43.1 (6.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	12.9 (−10.6)	13.9 (−10.1)	21.4 (−5.9)	28.8 (−1.8)	37.4 (3.0)	45.1 (7.3)	50.7 (10.4)	49.6 (9.8)	41.5 (5.3)	30.8 (−0.7)	20.9 (−6.2)	13.6 (−10.2)	30.6 (−0.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−14.6 (−25.9)	−9.6 (−23.1)	−1.2 (−18.4)	12.9 (−10.6)	24.5 (−4.2)	34.2 (1.2)	41.3 (5.2)	39.0 (3.9)	28.6 (−1.9)	12.5 (−10.8)	−2.8 (−19.3)	−11.2 (−24.0)	−23.1 (−30.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−46 (−43)	−42 (−41)	−34 (−37)	−17 (−27)	11 (−12)	23 (−5)	27 (−3)	27 (−3)	6 (−14)	−10 (−23)	−30 (−34)	−42 (−41)	−46 (−43)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.58 (15)	0.49 (12)	0.87 (22)	1.71 (43)	2.88 (73)	3.35 (85)	1.76 (45)	1.69 (43)	1.39 (35)	1.27 (32)	0.67 (17)	0.51 (13)	17.17 (435)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	9.6 (24)	5.1 (13)	12.0 (30)	8.0 (20)	4.8 (12)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	1.6 (4.1)	3.9 (9.9)	7.5 (19)	10.5 (27)	63.1 (159.25)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.7	8.2	9.1	11.7	13.7	13.6	10.3	9.0	8.5	9.4	7.4	7.3	115.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	7.9	6.3	8.4	5.7	2.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	1.2	3.2	6.2	8.6	49.6
Source 1: NOAA (average snow/snow days 1981–2010) [12] [13]
Source 2: National Weather Service [14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	72		—
1890	785		990.3%
1900	1,096		39.6%
1910	2,992		173.0%
1920	6,120		104.5%
1930	5,358		−12.5%
1940	5,874		9.6%
1950	6,573		11.9%
1960	7,408		12.7%
1970	6,437		−13.1%
1980	7,104		10.4%
1990	6,051		−14.8%
2000	5,813		−3.9%
2010	5,901		1.5%
2020	5,952		0.9%
source: [15] U.S. Decennial Census [16] [5]

2010 census

As of the census ^[17] of 2010, there were 5,901 people, 2,761 households, and 1,512 families living 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 ^[18] of 2000, there were 5,813 people, 2,594 households, and 1,507 families living in the city. The population density was 3,055.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,179.7/km²). There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 1,507.4 per square mile (582.0/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.

Infrastructure

Lewistown Municipal Airport is two miles southwest of town.

Education

Lewistown Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ^[19] There are three elementary schools, a middle school, and Fergus High School. They are known as the Golden Eagles. ^[20]

Lewistown has a public library, the Lewistown Public Library. ^[21]

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. ^[22]
The Metis Celebration, held on Labor Day weekend, includes a pow wow, fiddling, jigging, and other Metis related activities. 2015 marked the 21st year for the festival. ^[23]

Media

Radio

• KXLO AM 1230 – 1,000 watts; country music
• KQPZ FM 95.9 – 3,000 watts; classic rock. modern rock

Newspaper

• Lewistown News-Argus

Loren Acton in 2009

Notable people

• Loren Acton, astronaut and physicist ^[24]
• Roy E. Ayers, governor and congressman ^[25]
• Alma Smith Jacobs, first African American Montana State Librarian
• Ed McGivern, shooter, instructor, author of Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting
• Jim Otten, MLB pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals ^[26]
• Bobby Petrino, former head football coach of University of Louisville and former head coach with Atlanta Falcons and University of Arkansas ^[27]
• Rick Rydell, radio talk show host and author
• Tom Stout, congressman ^[28]
• Mike Taylor, politician and rancher ^[29]
• Roger Youderian, Christian missionary

References

1. "The City of Lewistown Montana". The City of Lewistown Montana. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lewistown, Montana
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
6. "Profile for Lewistown, Montana, MT". ePodunk. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. 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. "Lewistown Satellite Airfield Historic District (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
11. Climate Summary for Lewistown, Montana
12. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Lewistown MUNI AP, MT (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
13. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Lewistown MUNI AP, MT (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
14. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Great Falls". National Weather Service. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
15. Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 132.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
19. "Lewistown Public Schools". Lewistown Public Schools. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
20. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
21. "Montana Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
22. "Chokecherry Festival". Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
23. "Metis celebrate culture with music, powwow". The Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
24. "LOREN W. ACTON (PH.D.)". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
25. "Montana Governor Roy Elmer Ayers". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
26. "Jim Otten Baseball Stats | Baseball Almanac".
27. "Bobby Petrino". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
28. "STOUT, Tom, (1879 - 1965)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
29. Our Campaigns.com.-Mike Taylor (Montana)

External links

• Official City of Lewistown website
• Lewistown Community Resources website
• Lewistown Chamber of Commerce website
• City-Data.com
• ePodunk: Profile for Lewistown Montana