Hamilton, Montana

Hamilton is a city that serves as the county seat of Ravalli County, Montana, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The population was 4,659 at the 2020 census.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

File:Hamilton MT Daly Mansion 2.jpg

Daly Mansion in Hamilton

Hamilton was founded by copper king Marcus Daly in the late 19th century.<ref name="mhs">Template:Cite web</ref> It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Daly is said to have wanted to begin business in the then county seat of Grantsdale, but was denied the opportunity. He supposedly founded Hamilton out of his own pocket as a reaction to being rebuffed at Grantsdale.

In the summer of 2000, Hamilton made international headlines when forest fires throughout the Bitterroot Valley filled the area with smoke and prompted the evacuation of many residents. President Clinton declared a state of emergency in the area and dispatched National Guard troops to assist with fighting the fires.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

According to the Köppen climate classification, Hamilton has a humid continental climate.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="2010 Census">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 4,348 people, 2,175 households, and 1,006 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,456 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 2,175 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.7% were non-families. 47.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 43 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 3,705 people, 1,772 households, and 855 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,915 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 96.22% White, 0.11% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.

There were 1,772 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% were non-families. 47.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,013, and the median income for a family was $30,665. Males had a median income of $25,795 versus $22,138 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,689. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Hamilton is, as of 2004, home to two microbiological research and production facilities: the government-run Rocky Mountain Laboratories, and a branch of the Corixa Corporation (bought in the late 1990s from Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc.). The Corixa Corporation was bought by GlaxoSmithKline in 2005. NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) completed construction of a Biosafety Level 4 biohazard laboratory as part of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) facility in 2008. This facility has begun operations using highly-pathogenic organisms including the Lentivirus family of viruses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hamilton had one of the last remaining Kmart stores in the United States, which was the only remaining one in the state of Montana and the entire Mountain time zone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, plans to close the Kmart store were announced in January 2022, with its final day of business conducted on March 6, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

Dominic Farrenkopf became Mayor in 2018.<ref name="city" /> Hamilton's City Council has three Wards with two representatives from each Ward.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Arts and culture

The Ravalli County Museum, founded in 1955, is located in the former Ravalli County Courthouse and focuses on county history, natural history and art.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Daly Mansion, home of Marcus Daly, offers tours. This luxurious mansion has over 50 rooms, 26 acres of lawns, and several outbuildings.<ref name="daly">Template:Cite web</ref>

Being located in the dramatically scenic Bitterroot Valley Hamilton is a great place for outdoor activity. Nature hikes and wildlife viewing opportunities are boundless. River Park and Skalkaho Bend offer trails in town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A large skatepark, Circle 13, is at Claudia Driscoll Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is one of the skateparks built by Montana Pool Service, a project founded by Jeff Ament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The 700-seat Hamilton Performing Arts Center at Hamilton High School is home for the annual Bitterroot Performing Arts Series, produced by the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council, as well as other school and public productions throughout the year.

Infrastructure

Hamilton is located directly on U.S. Route 93. It is intersected by Montana Secondary Highway 269.

Ravalli County Airport is a public use airport 1 mile east of town.<ref name="FAA">Template:FAA-airport. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective August 10, 2023</ref>

Daly Hospital, part of Bitterroot Health, provides healthcare service in Hamilton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

• Hamilton High School
• The Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana is located in Hamilton.<ref>Bitterroot College Program</ref> In May 2012, it was renamed Bitterroot College University of Montana.<ref>Montana University System’s Board of Regents Approve Re-branding of Montana’s Two-Year Colleges and Programs of Higher Education, As Part of the Montana University System’s College!NOW Initiative, Helena, Montana: Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, May 25, 2012</ref><ref>Montana Renames Technical Colleges, Inside Higher Ed, July 13, 2012</ref>

The Bitterroot Public Library serves the town of Hamilton. It was one of the 17 Carnegie libraries built in Montana.<ref name="bpl">Template:Cite web</ref>

Media

Hamilton's newspaper is the Ravalli Republic.<ref name="rr">Template:Cite web</ref> It is a daily broadsheet offered as print or e-edition as well as having online news.

Five radio stations are licensed in Hamilton: KBAZ<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with mainstream rock, KHKM<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with adult hits, KLYQ<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is news/talk, KMZO<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a religious channel, and KUFN<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> public radio.

Notable people

• Willy Burgdorfer,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> scientist who discovered the cause of Lyme disease
• Herald Rea Cox, bacteriologist
• Marcus Daly, one of the "Copper Kings" of Butte, Montana, owned the Bitterroot Stock Farm near Hamilton
• Scott Lee Kimball,<ref name="Daily Camera chapter 9">Template:Cite news</ref> Colorado-born serial killer who lived in Hamilton during his teenage years.
• Henry L. Myers,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> United States Senator from Montana
• Jerry J. O'Connell, United States Representative from Montana, editor and publisher of local newspaper
• Val Skinner, golfer, winner of six LPGA Tour events
• Suzanna Son,<ref name="hr">Template:Cite web</ref> film actress known for Red Rocket
• Michael D. Stevens, former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

External links

• Hamilton, Montana community website