Clyde Park, Montana

Founded in the 1870s, the present-day site of Clyde Park was founded as Sunnyside by Texas cattlemen who were attracted to the area for grazing their herds. The post office in Sunnyside was established in 1887.Aarstad, R., Arguimabau, E., Baumler, E., et al. (2009) Montana Place Names: From Alzada to Zortman.Montana Historical Society. p 50. In 1887, a post office called Clyde Park was established at the historic Harvey and Tregloan Ranch, where John Harvey owned a Clydesdale horse which he had imported from England in the late 1890s.Jiusto, C., Brown, C., and Ferris, T. (2012) Hand Raised: The Barns of Montana. Montana Historical Society. p 240. A stagecoach from Livingston, Montana, reached the town in the 1880s.Jewell, J. and McRae, W.C. (2012) Moon Montana. Avalon Travel. p 360.

In 1901, the Clyde Park post office was merged with Sunnyside, and the town was renamed Clyde Park. However, the reason is unclear. Another source suggests that the town was called Clyde Park in honor of Clyde Durand, a local rancher; or for Harvey's Clydesdale horse. The Harvey and Tregloan Ranch eventually was sold to Robert Shiplet. The present-day Shiplet Ranch has historic barns that date to the 1870s or 80s, and its livestock brand is notably the shape of Montana.

In 1909 the Northern Pacific Railway established a branch line to the town, and in 1912 it incorporated as Clyde Park. That year it was reported to have a bank, a newspaper, a creamery, and an elevator.(1912) Montana. Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Industry Department of Publicity. p 261. A major fire burned much of the town in 1919.

Today, Clyde Park is the home of the G Bar M Ranch, a 3,200-acre dude ranch that opened in 1934. The ranch itself dates back to 1900.Rowles, G. (2011) Montana Adventure Guide. Hunter Publishing. p 183. The town is also home to the Old Settler's Days, an annual celebration of pioneer history. It includes an art show and parade.(2010) Fodor's Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Fodor's. p 29.

The town is in the Shields River valley. Area farmers have won world prizes for raising grain.(1921) Montana: Resources and Opportunities. Montana Department of Agriculture, Labor, and Industry. p 47.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of {{convert|0.32|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=July 2, 2012 }}

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clyde Park has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=670542&cityname=Clyde+Park%2C+Montana%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Clyde Park, Montana]

{{US Census population

|1920= 352

|1930= 302

|1940= 216

|1950= 280

|1960= 253

|1970= 244

|1980= 283

|1990= 282

|2000= 310

|2010= 288

|2020= 332

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 18, 2012}} of 2010, there were 288 people, 136 households, and 80 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|900.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 153 housing units at an average density of {{convert|478.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.3% White, 0.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 0.7% from other races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 136 households, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the town was 45.8 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 36.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 310 people, including 137 households, and 83 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|908.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 157 housing units at an average density of {{convert|460.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 137 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 3.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% 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 2.96.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,194, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,556 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,646. About 2.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Shields Valley Public Schools has two components: Shields Valley Elementary School District and Shields Valley High School District.{{cite web|url=https://apps.opi.mt.gov/SchoolDirectory/frmdirectorydistrictpdf.aspx|title=Directory of Montana Schools|publisher=Montana Office of Public Instruction|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-10-04|pages=206/317}} The municipality is in both districts.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30067_park/DC20SD_C30067.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Park County, MT|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-10-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30067_park/DC20SD_C30067_SD2MS.txt Text list]

Shields Valley Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.{{cite web |title=Shields Valley Public Schools |url=https://www.shieldsvalleyschools.com/domain/16 |publisher=Shields Valley Public Schools |access-date=April 20, 2021}} The elementary school is in Wilsall. The Jr/Sr High School is located in Clyde Park. The Shields Valley High School team name is the Rebels.{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=April 19, 2021}}

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{{Park County, Montana}}

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Category:Towns in Park County, Montana

Category:1870s establishments in Montana Territory