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engines. However, since the MW&S's single outlet to the wider world was all through the NP terminus at
Bridger, the Northern Pacific did not buy this short line but sought to control it through business interactions. The MW&S was forced to operate on its own under constant financial pressure from the NP, and even though it shipped large volumes of high grade coal from Bearcreek it was often in financial and operational difficulties. The Bearcreek mine owners were in turn completely dependent on the MW&S to move their shipments. The MW&S existed as a vacillating and weak but critical link to the continued prosperity of the community of Bearcreek.
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around
Bearcreek, since the railroad was the only efficient way for mines to ship their coal to market. Some mines struggled on, but the last mine closed in the 1970s. After the closure of the railroad followed by most of the mines the town's population rapidly dwindled, eventually declining to under 100 people. The rails and ties were removed from the railroad bed and over time the many empty miners houses that once filled the coulees along Bear Creek were sold and moved, or they simply sat vacant and deteriorated until they were torn down.
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mines at
Bearcreek produced large volumes of coal, which was a higher grade than other regional sources, from the extensive underground coal mining deposits. The mines were located along the creek and also in the surrounding coulees. The development of the coal mines after 1906 drew miners to the area. They came from other parts of America, and from Serbia, Montenegro, Germany, Scotland and Italy. The recent immigrants built separate ethnic-based communities in the steep coulees that run down into Bearcreek, with names like
321:, New Caledonia, Chickentown, Scotch Coulee, International, and Stringtown. At one time in the 1920s and 1930s the population of Bearcreek combined with the other surrounding small communities was close to 3,000 persons. Bearcreek and the surrounding communities had seven mercantiles, a bank, two hotels, two billiard halls, a brickyard, numerous saloons, and Bearcreek sported concrete sidewalks and their own water system. Allegedly, the town had no churches. The economy of Bear Creek was based on coal. The
260:
420:. Of the 77 men who had gone underground at the start of the shift, only 3 survived. The bodies were all recovered. Thirty had died instantly. Forty four of the miners survived the initial blast, but were trapped underground in isolated parts of the mine, dying from initial injuries or from suffocation from methane and carbon monoxide poisoning. Some left farewell notes to their families. The Smith Mine never reopened and this disaster dealt a severe blow to the community.
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town and that are appropriately licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises under 23-5-119 may conduct a race between animals and conduct one or more sports pools on the race. The race may be conducted only if it is between pigs, gerbils, or hamsters and is conducted on the premises but outside of interior areas of the establishment where food and beverages are usually stored, prepared, or served."
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and on to the mines in and around
Bearcreek. The tremendous amounts of coal extracted from the Bearcreek mines all traveled over this 21 mile long spur. The MW&S was built by speculators hoping it could be immediately sold to the NP who used the high grade coal from the Bearcreek mines in their
395:
From 1906 onward, Bearcreek attracted a large contingent of
Serbian/Slavic immigrants from Serbia and Montenegro. The many Serb families brought their culture and their customs to Bearcreek. With its diverse ethnic composition, Bearcreek traditionally celebrated Christmas twice, on December 25 and
387:
After the MW&S railroad was built, Bearcreek expanded rapidly as coal production increased. American and foreign-born workers moved there, drawn by the expanding coal mining activity and the promise of steady work. By 1917, the mines around
Bearcreek were employing 1,200 men. As the miners came
750:
living together, 2.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 54.5% were non-families. 43.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
344:
When the legality of betting on pig races was challenged, a law was passed—Montana Code
Annotated 23-5-502(b) -- stating that "Only a licensee of premises that are located in an incorporated city or town with a population of less than 100 or located outside the boundaries of an incorporated city or
316:
The town of
Bearcreek was named for Bear Creek, which runs through the middle of town. Bearcreek came into existence due to coal mines and grew rapidly following the building of a short line railroad connecting the Bearcreek mines to the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1906. Between 1906 and 1953, the
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in 1943, followed by the decline in demand for coal in the late 1940s and 1950s caused the closure of the connecting railroad in 1953 and subsequently most of the coal mines, and the population declined steadily to less than 100 persons. Many buildings in
Bearcreek and the surrounding communities
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In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over,
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living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% 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 2.35.
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After the abrupt closure of the Smith Mine, and as the demand for coal declined so did the financial health of the
Montana, Wyoming and Southern, which had always been precarious. The railroad ceased to operate in 1953. When the railroad ceased to function so did most of mining activity in and
767:
of 2000, there were 83 people, 38 households, and 22 families residing in the town. The population density was 690.3 inhabitants per square mile (266.5/km). There were 40 housing units at an average density of 332.7 per square mile (128.5/km). The racial makeup of the town was 96.39%
754:
The median age in the town was 53.5 years. 13.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 1.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.8% were from 25 to 44; 39.2% were from 45 to 64; and 27.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
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Today, the many surrounding communities that made up Bearceek are almost completely gone, with only a few houses marking Washoe, currently the largest of them. In the last decades there is some growth of the tiny remaining community of Bearcreek thanks to its proximity to
791:
The median income for a household in the town was $ 32,917, and the median income for a family was $ 32,500. Males had a median income of $ 20,250 versus $ 25,000 for females. The
309:. The Bearcreek Post Office was established on November 22, 1905, with Sarah Criger as the town's first postmaster. The town was platted and incorporated after the arrival of the
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was 658.3 inhabitants per square mile (254.2/km). There were 51 housing units at an average density of 425.0 per square mile (164.1/km). The racial makeup of the town was 98.7%
41:
982:. Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Press.
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they settled in small communities built in the small steep coulees running down into Bear Creek. At its peak, Bearcreek and the surrounding communities of
392:, New Caledonia, Chickentown, Scotch Coulee, International, and Stringtown, had a population of about 3,000 people, most of whom worked in the coal mines.
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In the late 1940s and early 1950s, there was a marked trend away from coal consumption in the American economy, due to utilization of
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which has developed an economy to serve tourists who come to ski, or to use summer cabins, or to pass through to Yellowstone Park.
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The Montana, Wyoming and Southern (or MW&S) was an independent privately owned short rail spur built in 1906 from the main
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1186:. John Axline, a historian of the Montana Department of Transportation, and Montana The Magazine of Western History.
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which hosts fundraising pig races throughout the year. In addition, Bearcreek plays host every autumn to Montana
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There were 38 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were
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There were 44 households, of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were
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for the town was $ 13,572. There were 3.8% of families and 12.6% of the population living below the
1181:"Something of a Nuisance Value, The Montana, Wyoming and Southern Railroad 1905-1953 by Jon Axline"
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of 2010, there were 79 people, 44 households, and 20 families residing in the town. The
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Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers.
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to power locomotives. Bearcreek's coal production went into a steady decline.
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U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bearcreek, Montana
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506:, the town has a total area of 0.12 square miles (0.31 km), all land.
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were moved to other towns or demolished, and only a few structures remain.
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905:. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 5.
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Smith Mine Historic District, Montana Highway 308 Bearcreek
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996:. Golden, Colorado: Fred Pruett Books. pp. 20–21.
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289:. Bearcreek uses the Mayor/Council form of government.
432:or fuel oil for heating and the increasing use of
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751:was 1.80 and the average family size was 2.50.
383:Attraction of American and foreign born workers
301:that began in the 1890s to supply coal for the
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348:Featured in the Star Trek Television series
337:Symposium, the state's largest gathering of
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18:Incorporated town in Montana, United States
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1038:"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990"
1018:Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman
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959:Montana Historical Society on Montana.Gov
362:The Montana Wyoming and Southern Railroad
952:"Montana, Wyoming and Southern Railroad"
341:trainers and birds of prey enthusiasts.
311:Montana, Wyoming & Southern Railroad
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487:(45.159849, -109.156322). Situated on
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980:Montana Place Names Companion Website
491:, Bearcreek is about halfway between
354:Episode 1 of Season 1 as the home of
297:Bearcreek owes its existence to area
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776:, and 2.41% from two or more races.
424:Events after the Smith Mine Disaster
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1027:. Montana Historical Society Press.
852:
809:List of cities and towns in Montana
278:, United States. It is part of the
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137:0.11 sq mi (0.30 km)
129:0.11 sq mi (0.30 km)
13:
1272:
1221:Municipalities and communities of
1094:"Census of Population and Housing"
994:Ghost Towns of the Montana Prairie
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14:
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743:and 1.3% from two or more races.
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901:Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983).
838:"ArcGIS REST Services Directory"
819:Bear Creek Saloon and Steakhouse
40:
1445:Towns in Carbon County, Montana
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285:. The population was 91 at the
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46:Location of Bearcreek, Montana
1:
1455:Mining communities in Montana
840:. United States Census Bureau
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489:Montana Secondary Highway 308
283:Metropolitan Statistical Area
174:798.25/sq mi (307.14/km)
961:. Montana Historical Society
903:Names on the Face of Montana
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153:4,557 ft (1,389 m)
7:
1145:United States Census Bureau
1120:United States Census Bureau
1068:United States Census Bureau
1042:United States Census Bureau
881:United States Census Bureau
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504:United States Census Bureau
412:exploded in the worst coal
270:is an incorporated town in
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1450:Billings metropolitan area
408:On February 27, 1943, the
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1064:"US Gazetteer files 2010"
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1023:October 8, 2009, at the
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456:Bearcreek is located at
356:Captain Christopher Pike
329:The town is home to the
303:Northern Pacific Railway
788:there were 85.7 males.
398:Serbian Orthodox Church
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1224:Carbon County, Montana
480:45.159849; -109.156322
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71:45.15972°N 109.15639°W
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1141:"U.S. Census website"
1116:"U.S. Census website"
877:"U.S. Census website"
720:U.S. Decennial Census
515:Historical population
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197: • Summer (
1423:United States portal
1176:at Wikimedia Commons
171: • Density
76:45.15972; -109.15639
1074:on January 25, 2012
1044:. February 12, 2011
992:Baker, Don (1997).
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471: /
404:Smith Mine Disaster
323:Smith Mine Disaster
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1174:Bearcreek, Montana
737:population density
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416:in the history of
351:Strange New Worlds
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163: • Total
142: • Water
126: • Total
25:Bearcreek, Montana
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1277:Carbon County map
1172:Media related to
793:per capita income
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272:Carbon County
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92:United States
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52:Coordinates:
50:
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29:
22:
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1293:
1243:
1148:. Retrieved
1135:
1125:December 18,
1123:. Retrieved
1110:
1098:. Retrieved
1096:. Census.gov
1088:
1078:December 18,
1076:. Retrieved
1072:the original
1058:
1046:. Retrieved
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963:. Retrieved
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936:November 30,
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884:. Retrieved
844:September 5,
842:. Retrieved
832:
797:poverty line
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510:Demographics
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267:
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15:
1384:communities
1239:County seat
1150:January 31,
965:January 31,
929:. State of
886:November 2,
759:2000 census
727:2010 census
478: /
466:109°09′23″W
430:natural gas
299:coal mining
287:2020 census
74: /
1439:Categories
825:References
763:As of the
731:As of the
463:45°09′35″N
250:feature ID
158:Population
62:109°9′23″W
1294:Bearcreek
1264:Red Lodge
1246:Red Lodge
1048:April 23,
493:Red Lodge
452:Geography
446:Red Lodge
400:holiday.
313:in 1906.
268:Bearcreek
238:FIPS code
226:Area code
180:Time zone
150:Elevation
59:45°9′35″N
1362:Rockvale
1352:Montaqua
1304:Fromberg
1021:Archived
803:See also
772:, 1.20%
374:through
335:Falconer
305:and the
242:30-04300
214:ZIP code
1372:Silesia
1357:Roberts
1299:Bridger
1100:June 4,
931:Montana
418:Montana
293:History
276:Montana
253:2411671
103:Montana
88:Country
1402:Washoe
1397:Warren
1392:Bowler
1367:Roscoe
1347:Luther
1327:Belfry
1309:Joliet
1000:
909:
765:census
733:census
685:124.3%
670:−39.3%
640:−49.2%
625:−62.3%
610:−50.0%
595:−31.4%
580:−36.6%
565:146.4%
520:Census
497:Belfry
434:diesel
390:Washoe
376:Belfry
339:falcon
319:Washoe
115:Carbon
110:County
1382:Other
1337:Edgar
1286:Towns
1184:(PDF)
955:(PDF)
770:White
741:White
715:15.2%
700:−4.8%
655:96.8%
219:59007
208:(MDT)
206:UTC-6
185:UTC-7
98:State
1332:Boyd
1319:CDPs
1256:City
1152:2008
1127:2012
1102:2015
1080:2012
1050:2011
998:ISBN
967:2015
938:2014
907:ISBN
888:2021
846:2022
706:2020
691:2010
676:2000
661:1990
646:1980
631:1970
616:1960
601:1950
586:1940
571:1930
556:1920
541:1910
529:Note
524:Pop.
495:and
248:GNIS
121:Area
1342:Fox
605:162
590:324
575:472
560:744
545:302
358:.
231:406
199:DST
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187:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
