Red Lodge, Montana

File:Montana - Red Lodge through Twin Lakes - NARA - 23941955 (cropped).jpg

On September 17, 1851, the United States government signed a treaty with the Crow Nation, confirming control of the area which now contains Red Lodge to the Crow Indians. Rich coal deposits were found there in 1866, and gold was discovered nearby in 1870. An 1880 treaty between the U.S. government and the Crow allowed the area to be settled starting April 11, 1882.Blevins, Bruce. An Early History of Red Lodge, Montana. WIM: Powell, 1988, 3-6. No ISBN.

The Red Lodge post office was established on December 9, 1884, with Postmaster Ezra L. Benton.Lutz, Dennis. Montana Post Offices and Postmasters. Rochester: Johnson, 1986, 41. No ISBN. A rail line was constructed into town, and coal shipments began in June 1889. The boundaries of the Crow Reservation were redrawn October 15, 1892, opening the whole area to settlement. From then until the 1930s, coal mining defined the town.Christensen, Bonnie. Red Lodge and the Mythic West. Lawrence: U of Kansas P, 2000, xii. {{ISBN|978-0-7006-1198-0}}

In the late 19th century, many new settlers came to Red Lodge, MT. The majority came from Italy, the British Isles, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. By the mid-1880s, migrants were still outnumbered by large numbers of Native Americans. By 1892 the population reached 1,180.

In 1896, Red Lodge had twenty saloons and, as the library records show, riotous and violent living was characteristic of the town. By 1906 the population had grown to 4,000 and by 1911 this had increased to 5,000.{{cite web | url=http://gapersblock.com/bookclub/events/ | title=Gapers Block : GB Book Club : Chicago Books - Events }}

Red Lodge suffered in the Great Depression, which forced many mines to close. To offset this downturn, the manufacture of illegal bootleg liquor, labeled syrup, became an economic mainstay and was sold as far away as Chicago and San Francisco{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}.

In 1931 work began on the Beartooth HighwayBlevins, Bruce H. Beartooth Highway Experiences. Powell: WIM, 2003. {{ISBN|1-893771-07-5}}.[https://highways.dot.gov/public-roads/julyaugust-2006/orphaned-highway Federal Highway Administration], Public Roads, July/August 2006, v.70, No.1. Retrieved October 20, 2014. linking Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park; it was officially opened in 1936.

Image:SmithMineDisaster.jpg

In 1943 tragedy hit Smith Mine #3 near Bearcreek, the area's largest remaining mine.The Darkest Hour: A Comprehensive Account of the Smith Mine Disaster of 1943, 2nd ed, by Gary D. Robson and Fay Kuhlman (2003). {{ISBN|0-9659609-1-9}} An explosion trapped and killed 74 men with only three of the workers in the mine that day escaping, making it the worst coal mine disaster in Montana's history. The mine was shut down shortly thereafter but was reopened in the late 1970s. The Red Lodge cemetery contains a memorial.

The downtown has been redeveloped since the mid-1980s for historic and cultural tourism, as the Red Lodge Commercial Historic District. The buildings in downtown Red Lodge fell into disrepair in large part because population had dropped from its 1915 peak of 6,000 people to about 2,000.{{Cite book

| publisher = Carbon County Historic Preservation Office

| last = Michels Raffety Architects

| title = Red Lodge commercial historic district : revitalization master plan

| access-date = February 6, 2014

| date = 1986

| url = https://archive.org/details/redlodgecommerci10mich

}}

As of 2006, an estimate suggests that the population of Red Lodge may increase from about 1,200 people in the winter to over 1,800 people during the summer tourist season, arriving via the Beartooth Highway.

Red Lodge was heavily affected by the 2022 Montana floods.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2022 |title=Yellowstone National Park closes entrances, residents evacuate Red Lodge as floods sweep across Montana |url=https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2022-06-13/yellowstone-national-park-closes-entrances-residents-evacuate-red-lodge-as-floods-sweep-across-montana |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Montana Public Radio |language=en}}

Red Lodge is located adjacent to the Beartooth Mountains just to the south. Rock Creek flows along the eastern border. About 30 miles to the southwest of town, in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, is Granite Peak, the highest point in Montana. Grizzly Peak, of the Red Lodge Mountain ski area, is one of several mountains surrounding the town.

File:Montana flood.jpg

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.80|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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2011 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 18, 2012 }}

Red Lodge experiences a continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with cold, somewhat dry winters and warm, wetter summers. Summers are cooler than in areas of Montana further north, due to the high elevation. Winters however, are milder than areas further to the east due to the chinook wind influence, as with most of Montana.

{{Weather box

|location = Red Lodge, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 70

|Feb record high F = 70

|Mar record high F = 72

|Apr record high F = 80

|May record high F = 88

|Jun record high F = 96

|Jul record high F = 101

|Aug record high F = 98

|Sep record high F = 97

|Oct record high F = 86

|Nov record high F = 80

|Dec record high F = 71

|Jan avg record high F = 53.9

|Feb avg record high F = 54.3

|Mar avg record high F = 61.6

|Apr avg record high F = 70.5

|May avg record high F = 77.9

|Jun avg record high F = 85.2

|Jul avg record high F = 90.9

|Aug avg record high F = 90.0

|Sep avg record high F = 85.5

|Oct avg record high F = 74.7

|Nov avg record high F = 61.5

|Dec avg record high F = 54.6

|year avg record high F = 91.5

|Jan high F = 37.5

|Feb high F = 36.7

|Mar high F = 45.7

|Apr high F = 53.3

|May high F = 62.0

|Jun high F = 71.6

|Jul high F = 81.2

|Aug high F = 80.6

|Sep high F = 71.2

|Oct high F = 56.4

|Nov high F = 43.1

|Dec high F = 35.7

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 25.7

|Feb mean F = 25.5

|Mar mean F = 33.7

|Apr mean F = 40.9

|May mean F = 49.3

|Jun mean F = 57.6

|Jul mean F = 65.6

|Aug mean F = 64.7

|Sep mean F = 56.4

|Oct mean F = 43.9

|Nov mean F = 32.1

|Dec mean F = 25.0

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 13.9

|Feb low F = 14.3

|Mar low F = 21.7

|Apr low F = 28.5

|May low F = 36.6

|Jun low F = 43.7

|Jul low F = 49.9

|Aug low F = 48.7

|Sep low F = 41.6

|Oct low F = 31.4

|Nov low F = 21.2

|Dec low F = 14.2

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -9.9

|Feb avg record low F = -8.7

|Mar avg record low F = -1.5

|Apr avg record low F = 12.9

|May avg record low F = 23.7

|Jun avg record low F = 31.2

|Jul avg record low F = 40.9

|Aug avg record low F = 37.5

|Sep avg record low F = 28.3

|Oct avg record low F = 12.4

|Nov avg record low F = -2.3

|Dec avg record low F = -9.7

|year avg record low F = -20.4

|Jan record low F = -38

|Feb record low F = -42

|Mar record low F = -30

|Apr record low F = -10

|May record low F = 7

|Jun record low F = 20

|Jul record low F = 30

|Aug record low F = 22

|Sep record low F = 8

|Oct record low F = -13

|Nov record low F = -25

|Dec record low F = -42

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.84

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.14

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.78

|Apr precipitation inch = 2.77

|May precipitation inch = 4.72

|Jun precipitation inch = 2.59

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.45

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.01

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.63

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.34

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.39

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.00

|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 13.5

|Feb snow inch = 19.4

|Mar snow inch = 20.2

|Apr snow inch = 25.5

|May snow inch = 6.2

|Jun snow inch = 0.6

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 2.1

|Oct snow inch = 17.0

|Nov snow inch = 18.7

|Dec snow inch = 18.7

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 4.6

|Feb precipitation days = 4.8

|Mar precipitation days = 7.1

|Apr precipitation days = 9.3

|May precipitation days = 12.1

|Jun precipitation days = 11.4

|Jul precipitation days = 9.9

|Aug precipitation days = 8.1

|Sep precipitation days = 7.1

|Oct precipitation days = 6.6

|Nov precipitation days = 5.7

|Dec precipitation days = 5.7

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 5.1

|Feb snow days = 5.2

|Mar snow days = 6.1

|Apr snow days = 5.5

|May snow days = 2.5

|Jun snow days = 0.4

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.7

|Oct snow days = 3.1

|Nov snow days = 5.0

|Dec snow days = 5.8

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00246918&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access

|access-date = August 7, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=byz

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data

|access-date = August 7, 2022

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 624

|1900= 2152

|1910= 4860

|1920= 4515

|1930= 3026

|1940= 2950

|1950= 2730

|1960= 2278

|1970= 1844

|1980= 1896

|1990= 1958

|2000= 2177

|2010= 2125

|2020= 2257

|footnote=source:Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 134.
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|access-date=July 19, 2016}}

}}

Red Lodge is part of the Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 18, 2012}} of 2010, there were 2,125 people, 1,082 households, and 513 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|758.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,675 housing units at an average density of {{convert|598.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 1,082 households, of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.6% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% 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 2.62.

The median age in the city was 47.3 years. 16.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 34.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 2,177 people, 1,020 households, and 528 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|846.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,415 housing units at an average density of {{convert|549.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.14% White, 0.41% African American, 1.10% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.

There were 1,020 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.2% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,750, and the median income for a family was $40,260. Males had a median income of $30,250 versus $20,208 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,090. About 6.9% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Red Lodge is an incorporated city. It operates on a Charter Form of Government.{{cite web |title=Mayor |url=https://www.cityofredlodge.net/citycouncil/page/mayor |publisher=City of Red Lodge |access-date=October 23, 2023}} There are six members of the city council, elected from one of three wards of roughly equal population.{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://www.cityofredlodge.net/citycouncil |publisher=City of Red Lodge |access-date=October 23, 2023}} There are two council members from each ward. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote and serves 2 years.

Red Lodge is served by three public schools: Mountain View Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Red Lodge High School.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.redlodge.k12.mt.us/ |publisher=Red Lodge School District 1 |access-date=October 23, 2023}} For the 2021-2022 school year, there were 319 students enrolled in kindergarten to 8th grade.{{cite web |title=Red Lodge Elem |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=3022080 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=October 23, 2023}} The high school, 9th to 12th grade, had 180 students.{{cite web |title=Red Lodge H S |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=3022110 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=October 23, 2023}} The team name for Red Lodge schools is the Rams.{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=April 19, 2021}}

Red Lodge Carnegie Library serves the area.{{cite web |title=Red Lodge Carnegie Library |url=https://www.cityofredlodge.net/library |publisher=City of Red Lodge |access-date=April 13, 2021}}

The Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association's Geology Field Station is located south of Red Lodge.{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://ybra.org/ |publisher=Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association |access-date=October 23, 2023}}

File:Red Lodge Palisades.jpg

File:Beartooth Highway.jpg

Red Lodge is well known for many outdoor recreation opportunities: skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, and backpacking are nearby. They are home to the national skijoring finals.{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://www.redlodgeskijoring.com/ |publisher=Red Lodge Ski-Joring Association |access-date=October 23, 2023}}

U.S. Route 212 runs through the town from north to south. South of town it becomes Beartooth Highway, a National Scenic Byway. Montana Highway 78 enters west of town from Columbus to the north. Secondary Highway 308 connects the town east to Belfry.

Red Lodge Airport is a public use airport located adjacently on the (1.85 km) westside of town.{{cite web |title=RED (KRED) Red Lodge |url=https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=kred |publisher=FAA |access-date=October 23, 2023}} The nearest commercial airport is Billings Logan International Airport.

The Beartooth Billings Clinic provides medical care for the area.{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://www.beartoothbillingsclinic.org/ |publisher=Beartooth Billings Clinic |access-date=October 23, 2023}} Services include emergency, same-day care, mental health and primary care.

• KMXE FM 99.3{{cite web |title=KMXE-FM |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=60408 |publisher=FCC |access-date=October 23, 2023}}

• Carbon County News (Weekly)
• The Local Rag (1991-2019)
• Red Lodge Pickett (1892-1922)National Register of Historic Places Form, Hi Bug Historic District, accessed October 25, 2016, at https://mhs.mt.gov/Portals/11/shpo/docs/HiBugHD(BoundaryDecrease).pdf

• Doug Brown, long-distance runner
• Brady Canfield, Bronze medal winner in the 2003 FIBT World Championships in skeleton racing
• Kim Gillan, former Montana State Senator and 2012 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives
• John Johnston was elected the first marshal in Red Lodge in 1888.Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson, by Raymond W. Thorpe and Robert Bunker (1983) pg 188. {{ISBN|978-0-253-20312-0}}{{cite news |title="Liver Eating" Johnson |work=The Butte Weekly Miner |publisher=Miner Publishing Company |date=November 24, 1898 |page=4}}
• Laurie Niemi, Washington Redskins offensive tackle
• Alice Greenough Orr, internationally renowned rodeo performer
• Gary D. Robson, author and closed captioning innovator
• Emily E. Sloan, lawyer and author
• K. Ross Toole, Montana historian

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Red Lodge, Montana}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Red Lodge}}
• {{Official website|https://www.cityofredlodge.net/}}
• [http://www.redlodgechamber.org/ Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Carbon County, Montana}}

{{Montana}}

{{Montana Regions and Towns with Breweries}}

{{Montana county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Carbon County, Montana

Category:Billings metropolitan area

Category:County seats in Montana

Category:Cities in Montana