Eureka, Montana Explained

Official Name:Eureka, Montana
Settlement Type:Town
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Montana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Lincoln
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:LeeAnn Schermerhorn
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:3.43
Area Land Km2:3.43
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:1.33
Area Land Sq Mi:1.33
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:1380
Population Density Km2:401.76
Population Density Sq Mi:1040.72
Timezone:Mountain (MST)
Utc Offset:-7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:-6
Elevation Ft:2582
Coordinates:48.8803°N -115.0494°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:59917
Area Code:406
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:30-24850
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0783241

Eureka is a town in Lincoln County, Montana, United States, 9miles south of the Canada–US border. The population was 1,380 at the 2020 census.[2]

History

Eureka was founded in the early 1880s as settlers moved north from Missoula and south from Canada and was originally known as Deweyville.[3] It was one of the last areas to be developed in Montana in frontier times, and logging was a major draw and source of income for decades. Eureka was once known as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World," with evergreens shipped to many urban points for holiday sales.

The Canadian fur-trapper and explorer David Thompson visited the area in the early 19th Century during his searches for a route to the Pacific Ocean. Early explorers, finding Indians there growing a native strain of tobacco, named it the Tobacco Plains. In the late 1970s, Eurekans began a "Tobacco Valley Rendezvous" every year in April to commemorate Thompson's visit.

President Harry S. Truman gave a speech in Eureka on October 1, 1952, as part of a whistle-stop tour in support of Adlai Stevenson's ultimately unsuccessful presidential campaign.[4]

Geography

Eureka is located on the Tobacco River in an area known as the Tobacco Valley in the United States and as the Tobacco Plains in British Columbia to the north.

It is approximately 66miles from Kalispell. The Tobacco River flows through the western part of town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.01sqmi, all land.[5]

Climate

Eureka experiences a mild microclimate, notably warmer than the nearby cities of Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana as well as Invermere and Fernie, British Columbia. Summer afternoons are hot and sunny with low humidity while winters are often cloudy but lack the extreme temperatures found nearby.[6]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 1,037 people, 442 households, and 261 families living in the town. The population density was 1026.7PD/sqmi. There were 495 housing units at an average density of 490.1/mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 94.8% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 442 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.0% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the town was 43.3 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 23.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.4% male and 54.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 1,017 people, 431 households, and 252 families living in the town. The population density was 1008.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 494 housing units at an average density of 489.9/mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 96.76% White, 1.28% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 431 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,120, and the median income for a family was $30,268. Males had a median income of $31,731 versus $18,214 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,619. About 19.5% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

This stunningly scenic area has many opportunities for outdoor activities. The Pacific Northwest Trail, a 1,200 mile hiking trail from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, passes through Eureka. Ten Lakes Scenic Area is located approximately 45 minutes from town. These 14,945 acres have been set aside for backcountry use.[9] Just to the west is Lake Koocanusa, a large reservoir used for every type of water recreation.

Every April Eureka has the large Rendezvous Days celebration. This fun event includes bed races and black powder events.[10] Shakespeare in the Park performs every summer. Also in the summer is The Bull Thing, a Professional Bull Riders event.[11] Eureka hosts the Lincoln County Fair which has carnival rides, rodeos, and local booths.

Eureka has two listings on the National Register of Historic Places: the Eureka Community Hall and the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. They also have The Historical Village.[12] It is a collection of several historic buildings, all furnished with period artifacts.

The town has a public library, a branch of the Lincoln County Public Libraries.[13]

Government

Eureka has a Mayor-Council form of government. There are four council members and a mayor. In 2023 the town's mayor was LeeAnn Schermerhorn.[14]

Education

Eureka Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.[15] They are known as the Lions. The elementary school, pre-kindergarten through 4th grade, had 237 students enrolled for the 2021–2022 school year.[16] Middle school, 5th to 8th grade, had 238 students.[17]

Lincoln County High School is a Class B high school,[18] a designation which helps determine athletic competitions. For the 2021–2022 school year, 293 students were enrolled in the school.[19]

Media

The Tobacco Valley News is a weekly newspaper available either by print or e-edition.[20]

Three radio stations are licensed in the town. KEUK is part of the Montana Public Radio network.[21] KEUR-LP[22] is a religious channel. KZXT is a local station airing an adult contemporary format[23]

Infrastructure

US Route 93 cuts through town from north to south. Montana Highway 37 ends about 5miles north of town.

Eureka Airport is a public use airport located 5 miles north of town.[24] The nearest commercial airport is Glacier Park International Airport, 62miles south.

Logan Health has 3 medical clinics in Eureka.[25]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory. United States Census Bureau. September 5, 2022.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. November 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Eureka . Montana Place Names Companion . Montana Historical Society . April 2, 2021.
  4. Web site: President Truman, Rear Platform Remarks, Eureka, Montana . Harry S. Truman Library & Museum . May 31, 2020.
  5. Web site: US Gazetteer files 2010 . . December 18, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt . January 25, 2012 .
  6. Web site: And the living is easy.
  7. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. December 18, 2012.
  8. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .
  9. Web site: Ten Lakes Scenic Area . USDA Forest Service . August 25, 2023.
  10. Web site: Festivals & Fairs . Lincoln County . August 25, 2023.
  11. Web site: The Bull Thing PBR . PBR . August 25, 2023.
  12. Web site: Home . Tobacco Valley Board of History . August 25, 2023.
  13. Web site: Montana Public Libraries . PublicLibraries.com . June 14, 2019.
  14. Web site: Town Government . Town of Eureka, Montana . October 1, 2023.
  15. Web site: Eureka Public Schools . Eureka Public Schools . April 19, 2021.
  16. Web site: Eureka Elementary School . National Center for Education Statistics . October 1, 2023.
  17. Web site: Eureka Middle School 5-8 . National Center for Education Statistics . October 1, 2023.
  18. Web site: Member Schools . Montana High School Association . April 19, 2021.
  19. Web site: Lincoln Co High School . National Center for Education Statistics . October 1, 2023.
  20. Web site: Home . Tobacco Valley News . August 25, 2023.
  21. Web site: KEUK . FCC . October 1, 2023.
  22. Web site: KEUR-LP . FCC . October 1, 2023.
  23. Web site: KZXT Eureka MT . FCC . August 25, 2023.
  24. Web site: 88M Eureka . FAA . August 25, 2023.
  25. Web site: Eureka . Logan Health . August 25, 2023 . health.