Boulder is a town in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Montana, United States.[4] It is on the north bank of the Boulder River between Butte and Helena, slightly east of the Continental Divide, at the intersection of Interstate 15 and Montana Highway 69. The population was 1,201 at the 2020 census.[5] It is part of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties; its population is 83,058 according to the 2020 Census.[3]
Boulder, Montana | |
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 Jefferson County Courthouse in Boulder | |
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 Location of Boulder, Montana | |
  Boulder, Montana Location of Boulder in Montana | |
| Coordinates: 46°14′11″N 112°7′19″W / 46.23639°N 112.12194°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Jefferson |
| Area | |
• Town | 1.12 sq mi (2.91 km2) |
| • Land | 1.12 sq mi (2.91 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,908 ft (1,496 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Town | 1,201 |
| • Density | 1,068.51/sq mi (412.47/km2) |
| • Metro | 83,058 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Zipcode | 59632 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-08575 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0780250[2] |
| Website | www |
Established in the 19th century as a stagecoach station, Boulder grew into a regional trading center for farmers, ranchers, and miners and, by the end of that century, home to state schools for the deaf, blind and developmentally disabled. In the 21st century, it is the center of government in Jefferson County, and institutions based in the town offer services for disabled adults and troubled youths. Its library system serves about 10,000 people, and its high school district covers more than 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2). Three buildings in Boulder are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
editNamed for the many large boulders in the vicinity, the town of Boulder Valley was established in the early 1860s as a stagecoach station on the route between Fort Benton and Virginia City.[6] It later became a trading center for nearby agricultural areas and the Elkhorn, Comet, and Baltimore mining districts. The Great Northern Railway branch line from Helena to Butte reached Boulder in 1888. State schools for the deaf, blind, and developmentally disabled were established in the city in 1892. In 1897, the town's name was shortened to Boulder.[7]
In the 1892 Montana capital referendum's first round, Boulder was a candidate city to become the newly-admitted Montana's capital. It faced Helena, Anaconda, Butte, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Deer Lodge. As Boulder finished last with only 295 votes, it was not in the second round in 1894, which Helena won.[8]
Geography and geology
edit
Boulder lies at an elevation of 4,990 feet (1,521 m) above sea level along Interstate 15 at its intersection with Montana Highway 69, approximately 35 miles (56 km) north of Butte, and 27 miles (43 km) south of Helena. The town is on the north bank of the Boulder River, a tributary of the Jefferson River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.12 square miles (2.90 km2), all land.[9]
In the late Cretaceous Period (roughly 81 to 74 million years ago), molten rock (magma) rose to the Earth's surface in and near what later became Jefferson County and eventually formed an intrusive body of granitic rock up to 10 miles (16 km) thick and 100 miles (161 km) in diameter. This body, known as the Boulder Batholith, extends from Helena to Butte, and is the host rock for the many valuable ores mined in the region. As the granite cooled, it cracked, and hot solutions filled the cracks and formed mineral veins bearing gold and other metals. Millions of years later, weathering allowed gold in the veins to wash down to the gravels in the Boulder River valley.[10] The Boulder mining district was essentially limited to placer mining of those gravels, because the source lodes were in other mining districts in the mountains.[11]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 214 | — | |
| 1920 | 682 | — | |
| 1930 | 926 | 35.8% | |
| 1940 | 510 | −44.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,017 | 99.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,394 | 37.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,342 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,441 | 7.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,316 | −8.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,300 | −1.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,183 | −9.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,201 | 1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12][5] | |||
2010 census
editAs of the census[13] of 2010, there were 1,183 people, 514 households, and 298 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,046.9 inhabitants per square mile (404.2/km2). There were 565 housing units at an average density of 500.0 per square mile (193.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 1.8% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.
There were 514 households, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.0% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.79.
The median age in the city was 43.7 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 34.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.4% male and 47.6% female.
2000 census
editAs of the census[14] of 2000, there were 1,300 people, 508 households, and 316 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,142.7 inhabitants per square mile (441.2/km2). There were 568 housing units at an average density of 499.3 per square mile (192.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.23% White, 0.23% African American, 2.31% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.
There were 508 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,276, and the median income for a family was $37,411. Males had a median income of $26,985 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,657. About 10.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
editAbout 300 people are employed in Boulder at the Montana Developmental Center, a state institution for people with developmental disabilities. Another 100 or so people work for Alternative Youth Adventures (Youth Dynamics, Inc.), which provides residential services for troubled youth. In addition, Riverside Corrections, a state-run detention center for juvenile females, employs about 30 people.[15]
Boulder and vicinity are home to commercial "health mines" for which it is claimed by testimonial that exposure to radon gas mitigates auto-immune diseases such as arthritis.[16] Though contributing to the economy of the area by attracting tourists, the practice is controversial because of the "well-documented ill effects of high-dose radiation on the body."[17]
Arts and culture
editBoulder Community Library is the center of a library system serving about 10,000 people in Jefferson County, Montana. In 2005, it had about 39,000 books and serial volumes in its collection, 85 subscriptions, 3,200 videos, 1,500 audio materials, and 21 Internet terminals.[18]
Boulder has three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The Jefferson County Courthouse, on Centennial Avenue, was added in 1980. The Montana Deaf and Dumb Asylum, also known as the Old Administration Building, off Montana Highway 69 (formerly Montana Secondary Highway 281) near Boulder, was added in 1985. The Boulder Hot Springs Hotel, southeast of Boulder on Montana Highway 69, was added in 1979.[19]
Boulder's Elkhorn Treatment Center, which operates under the Montana Department of Corrections, is known for its work with women battling methamphetamine addiction.[20]
Climate
editThe average temperature in January is 20 °F (−7 °C), and in July it is 64 °F (18 °C). Annual snowfall averages 33 inches (84 cm).[21]
| Climate data for Boulder, Montana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 58 (14) |
65 (18) |
72 (22) |
83 (28) |
89 (32) |
96 (36) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
96 (36) |
87 (31) |
71 (22) |
65 (18) |
101 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 51.8 (11.0) |
53.9 (12.2) |
63.1 (17.3) |
71.4 (21.9) |
79.5 (26.4) |
87.1 (30.6) |
93.1 (33.9) |
91.6 (33.1) |
86.8 (30.4) |
76.4 (24.7) |
60.4 (15.8) |
50.1 (10.1) |
93.9 (34.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.0 (1.7) |
37.8 (3.2) |
46.8 (8.2) |
54.5 (12.5) |
63.6 (17.6) |
72.0 (22.2) |
82.5 (28.1) |
82.0 (27.8) |
71.9 (22.2) |
57.4 (14.1) |
42.4 (5.8) |
33.6 (0.9) |
56.6 (13.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 23.5 (−4.7) |
25.9 (−3.4) |
33.8 (1.0) |
40.7 (4.8) |
49.4 (9.7) |
57.2 (14.0) |
65.4 (18.6) |
64.1 (17.8) |
55.0 (12.8) |
42.6 (5.9) |
30.5 (−0.8) |
22.5 (−5.3) |
42.6 (5.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 11.9 (−11.2) |
14.0 (−10.0) |
20.8 (−6.2) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
35.3 (1.8) |
42.5 (5.8) |
48.3 (9.1) |
46.2 (7.9) |
38.1 (3.4) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
18.6 (−7.4) |
11.5 (−11.4) |
28.5 (−1.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −15.8 (−26.6) |
−9.1 (−22.8) |
1.7 (−16.8) |
13.2 (−10.4) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
30.9 (−0.6) |
38.3 (3.5) |
34.9 (1.6) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
9.1 (−12.7) |
−5.4 (−20.8) |
−13.8 (−25.4) |
−24.1 (−31.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −38 (−39) |
−39 (−39) |
−34 (−37) |
−6 (−21) |
9 (−13) |
22 (−6) |
29 (−2) |
19 (−7) |
8 (−13) |
−14 (−26) |
−34 (−37) |
−42 (−41) |
−42 (−41) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.28 (7.1) |
0.19 (4.8) |
0.40 (10) |
0.78 (20) |
1.86 (47) |
2.30 (58) |
1.38 (35) |
1.12 (28) |
1.10 (28) |
0.64 (16) |
0.48 (12) |
0.27 (6.9) |
10.80 (274) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 5.4 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 7.4 | 11.9 | 11.6 | 8.4 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 88.7 |
| Source: NOAA[22][23] | |||||||||||||
Education
editThe school districts for the community are Boulder Elementary School District and Jefferson High School District.[24]
Jefferson High School in Boulder is part of Jefferson High School District #1, covering about 1,100 sq mi (2,800 km2) in the northern half of Jefferson County. The district, based in Boulder, draws students from Basin, Clancy, Jefferson City and Montana City in addition to Boulder.[25] About 280 students in grades 9 through 12 enrolled at the high school in 2007. The school had about 20 teachers and a student-teacher ratio of about 14 to 1.[26] The district also serves students in Basin Elementary District 5, Boulder Elementary District 7, Clancy Elementary District 1, and Montana City Elementary District 27.
The town is served by Boulder Community Library.[27]
Media
editThe Boulder Monitor is a newspaper available either in print or online. It is printed weekly.[28] A low-power radio station, KEME, 106.3 FM, owned by Jefferson County Disaster and Emergency Services, broadcasts from Boulder.[29] The town also receives radio stations from Butte and Helena.
Notable people
edit- Patrick Duffy, actor, is from Boulder. His parents were murdered in their bar in Boulder in 1986.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Boulder, Montana
- ^ a b "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas". Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Historical Society. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ Cheney, Roberta Carkeek (1983). Names on the Face of Montana. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 29. ISBN 0-87842-150-5.
- ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (November 29, 1892). "The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, November 29, 1892, Morning, Image 1". ISSN 2326-9588. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Math and Science Initiative: Elkhorn Volcanoes and the Boulder Batholith". State of Montana, Office of Public Instruction. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ^ "Historic Narratives, Boulder". Montana Government, Department of Environmental Quality. August 2004. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Jefferson County, Montana". Jefferson County Local Government. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
- ^ "Radon Health Mines: Boulder and Basin, Montana". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
- ^ Salak, Kara (2004). "59631: Mining for Miracles". National Geographic. Landon Nordeman, photographer. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
- ^ "Boulder Community Library". National Center for Education Statistics, Institute for Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places: Montana, Jefferson County". National Park Service. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
- ^ Byran, Kathleen (December 30, 2016). "Boulder's Elkhorn Treatment Center: 'Silver bullet' for women fighting addiction". Missoulian. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ "Weatherbase: Weather for Boulder, Montana, United States of America". Weatherbase. 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
- ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson County, MT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 4, 2024. - Text list
- ^ "About the School". Jefferson High School. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ "Jefferson High School". SchoolTree.org. 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
- ^ "Boulder Community Library". Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "home page". The Monitor. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "KEME-LP". FCC. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
External links
edit