Anaconda, Montana
Anaconda, Montana | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Anaconda, looking north | |
 Location of Anaconda within the countyDeer Lodge County. | |
  Anaconda Location in Montana  Anaconda Anaconda (the United States)  Anaconda Anaconda (North America) | |
| Coordinates:46°8′N112°56′W/ 46.133°N 112.933°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Deer Lodge |
| Area | |
| • Total | 741.2 sq mi (1,919.7 km2) |
| • Land | 736.53 sq mi (1,907.6 km2) |
| • Water | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,276 ft (1,608 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 9,421 |
| • Density | 12.79/sq mi (4.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7(Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6(MDT) |
| ZIP code | 59711 |
| FIPS code | 30-01675 |
| GNISfeature ID | 779015 |
| Website | adlc |
Anaconda,county seat ofDeer Lodge County,which has aconsolidated city-countygovernment, is located in southwesternMontana,United States. Located at the foot of theAnaconda Range(known locally as the "Pintlers" ), theContinental Dividepasses within 8 mi (13 km) south of the community. As of the2020 censusthe population of the consolidated city-county was 9,421.[1]As a consolidated city-county area, it ranks as the ninth most populous city in Montana, but as only a city is far smaller.
History[edit]
Anaconda was founded byMarcus Daly,one of theCopper Kings,who financed the construction of the Anaconda smelter on nearbyWarm Springs Creekto process copper ore from theButtemines. Daly originally named the site "Copperopolis", but that name was already used byCopperopolis, Montana,a small mining town inMeagher County.Instead, Daly accepted the name "Anaconda", and on June 25, 1883, Daly filed for a town plat using that name.[2]There exists another story that the name was selected by the United States postmaster of the time, Clinton Moore.[3]However, Moore filed the post office application in October 1883, well after the town plat was filed.[2]When Montana was admitted as a state in 1889, Daly lobbied to have the capital moved to Anaconda, and Montana legislators decided to holdtwo referendums in 1892 and 1894 to choose a capital city.The campaigns for the referendums were heated, ending with a victory forHelena,the location supported by Daly's rivalWilliam A. Clark.
In 1903, theSocialist Party of Americawon its first victory west of the Mississippi when Anaconda voters elected a socialist mayor, treasurer, police judge, and three councilmen. The Socialist Party had grown within the expanding Montana labor movement. Initially, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company tolerated socialist activities, but when the Socialists gained political power and threatened to implement reform, the company systematically undermined the party. City workers and councilmen refused to cooperate with the new mayor, and the company began to fire Socialists. In the long run labor lost ground in Anaconda and the company exerted ever greater political control.[4]
TheAnaconda Companyexpanded smelting capacity over time; by 1919 the Washoe Reduction Works could boast that its 585-foot (178 m) smokestack (Anaconda Smelter Stack) was the tallest masonry structure in the world and that the smelter-refining complex constituted the world's largest non-ferrous processing plant.
In 1980,Atlantic Richfield Companyclosed the smelter, bringing an end to almost a century of mineral processing.[5]While some aspects of the operation had been cleaned up under environmental laws, closing the smelter resulted in a large area contaminated with hazardous wastes. Since then, an operation for environmental cleanup was put into place by the federalEnvironmental Protection Agencyand executed with the assistance ofARCO.The multimillion-dollar cleanup and redevelopment has resulted in the "Old Works" Golf Course, a championship 18-hole course designed byJack Nicklaus.
Anaconda joined with Deer County to form aconsolidated city-county governmentin 1977.[6]Part of Anaconda is included in theButte-Anaconda Historic District.
Geography[edit]
Central Anaconda is 5,335 ft (1,626 m)above sea level,and is surrounded by the communities of Opportunity and West Valley.
- Elevation: 5,335 feet or 1,626 metres
- Average annual rainfall: 14 inches or 360 millimetres
- Average length of growing season: 114 days
- Average annual snowfall: 48.0 inches or 1.22 metres
- Average annual temperature: 43.0 °F (6.1 °C)
The county area is 736.53 square miles (1,907.6 km2), characterized by densely timbered forestlands, lakes, mountains and recreation grounds. The county has common borders with Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson and Powell counties.
Climate[edit]
According to theKöppen climate classification,Anaconda has ahumid continental climate.
| Climate data for Anaconda, Montana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–1927, 1982–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 60 (16) |
65 (18) |
71 (22) |
83 (28) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
100 (38) |
102 (39) |
97 (36) |
88 (31) |
74 (23) |
60 (16) |
102 (39) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.6 (2.6) |
39.3 (4.1) |
47.5 (8.6) |
54.7 (12.6) |
64.1 (17.8) |
72.5 (22.5) |
82.7 (28.2) |
81.5 (27.5) |
72.2 (22.3) |
57.1 (13.9) |
43.4 (6.3) |
34.4 (1.3) |
57.2 (14.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 26.3 (−3.2) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
35.2 (1.8) |
41.5 (5.3) |
50.2 (10.1) |
57.8 (14.3) |
65.7 (18.7) |
64.4 (18.0) |
55.9 (13.3) |
43.8 (6.6) |
32.4 (0.2) |
24.6 (−4.1) |
43.8 (6.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.9 (−8.9) |
16.4 (−8.7) |
22.9 (−5.1) |
28.4 (−2.0) |
36.4 (2.4) |
43.0 (6.1) |
48.7 (9.3) |
47.3 (8.5) |
39.7 (4.3) |
30.5 (−0.8) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
14.7 (−9.6) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −37 (−38) |
−35 (−37) |
−21 (−29) |
−2 (−19) |
14 (−10) |
23 (−5) |
30 (−1) |
23 (−5) |
11 (−12) |
−9 (−23) |
−22 (−30) |
−38 (−39) |
−38 (−39) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 0.57 (14) |
0.99 (25) |
1.15 (29) |
1.50 (38) |
2.13 (54) |
2.21 (56) |
1.30 (33) |
1.20 (30) |
1.15 (29) |
1.00 (25) |
0.97 (25) |
0.72 (18) |
14.89 (378) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 11.4 (29) |
11.3 (29) |
11.8 (30) |
9.9 (25) |
2.0 (5.1) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.4 (1.0) |
3.3 (8.4) |
12.1 (31) |
12.1 (31) |
75.1 (191) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 9.2 | 8.5 | 11.2 | 12.1 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 7.9 | 10.1 | 10.5 | 9.9 | 125.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 7.8 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 6.8 | 8.4 | 47.7 |
| Source:NOAA[7][8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics[edit]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 700 | — | |
| 1890 | 3,975 | 467.9% | |
| 1900 | 9,453 | 137.8% | |
| 1910 | 10,134 | 7.2% | |
| 1920 | 11,668 | 15.1% | |
| 1930 | 12,494 | 7.1% | |
| 1940 | 11,004 | −11.9% | |
| 1950 | 11,254 | 2.3% | |
| 1960 | 12,054 | 7.1% | |
| 1970 | 9,771 | −18.9% | |
| 1980 | 12,518 | 28.1% | |
| 1990 | 10,278 | −17.9% | |
| 2000 | 9,417 | −8.4% | |
| 2010 | 9,298 | −1.3% | |
| 2020 | 9,421 | 1.3% | |
| Source[9] U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
For Anaconda, US Census Bureaus's 2015-2019American Community Surveyshowed a median household income of $41,820.[10]Anaconda had earlier peaks of population in 1930 and 1980, based on the mining industry.
Arts and culture[edit]
On main street is theWashoe Theater,which is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.It was the last theater constructed in the United States in theNuevo Decostyle. The theater was designed in 1930 byB. Marcus Priteca,an architect from Seattle and opened in 1936. It was listed by the NRHP for architectural significance in 1982. It currently is used for showing films, plus periodically hosting plays and other types of entertainment.
Government and politics[edit]
Deer Lodge County voters have a record as the most consistently Democratic county in Montana for Presidential elections. These voters have not supported a Republican candidate sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1924. In the last five elections before 2016, the Democratic candidate has won by 21% to nearly 49% of Deer Lodge County's vote. In gubernatorial elections, the only Republican to carry the county in the last twenty years was Marc Racicot in the 1996 election. In that election the original Democratic nominee, Chet Blaylock, died and Marc Racicot carried every county.[11]
The city is currently in the 39th district of theMontana Senateand is represented by RepublicanTerry Vermeirein the 2023 legislative session. Anaconda is also in the 77th district of theMontana House of Representatives,which has been represented by Republican John Fitzpatrick since 2023. This is the first time since 1945 that the city has been represented by a Republican in the state House of Representatives.[12][13]
Elected in 2017, Bill Everett is the current CEO. The CEO is elected by a plurality vote on a non-partisan ballot for a four-year term.[14]
Sports and recreation[edit]
- Hunting– There are hundreds of square miles of hunting available to the public in the area. With permit, hunting is permitted for fowl,bear,mountain lion,elk,deerandmoose.
- Fishing– Many nearby mountain lakes and streams offer such primary fishing spots as Silver Lake, Georgetown Lake, Echo Lake, Storm Lake, Racetrack Lake, Warm Springs Creek, Warm Springs Ponds, and the Big Hole River.
- Golf– The Old Works Golf Course is aJack Nicklaus-signaturegolf course,developed ofbrownfield land.A local country club and an 18-hole championship golf course are located atFairmont Hot Springs.
- Skiing– The area has many trails for cross-country skiers, and the nearbyDiscovery Ski Areahas downhill skiing with 15 downhill double-black diamond trails and 5 kilometres (3 mi) of groomed cross-country ski trails.
- Darts-The annual Winter Getaway dart tournament, held in several local establishments, is the largest regional dart tournament in Montana.
- Museums– The Copper Village Museum and Arts Center provides visitors and residents with art and history of the local area.
- Hiking– Hiking opportunities in and around Anaconda include trails up to mountain lakes and a 10,067-foot (3,068 m) mountain that can be climbed without technical equipment. A walking trail is on the north side of Anaconda next to Warm Springs Creek.
- Drag Racing– Lost Creek Raceway was founded in 1986 and hosts over 20 events a year bringing racers from Washington, Idaho and Montana.
- Mountain Biking
Education[edit]
Four schools are part of Anaconda School District 10, including aHead Start program;Lincoln Elementary (grades K-3), Fred Moodry Intermediate School (grades 4–6), and Anaconda Junior-Senior High School (grades 7–12).[15]The mascot of Anaconda Junior-Senior High School is the Copperheads.[16]
The Hearst Free Library serves the area.[17][18]
Infrastructure[edit]
Anaconda is onMontana Highway 1off ofInterstate 90.The Highway extends toDrummondand is known as the Pintler Scenic Loop. East of town is theMontana Highway 48junction.
Bowman Fieldis a public airport located three miles (5 km) northeast of Anaconda.[19]The nearest commercial airport isBert Mooney Airportin Butte.
The Community Hospital of Anaconda provides medical care to the town.[20]
Media[edit]
TheAnaconda Leaderis the local newspaper. It is published twice weekly.[21]
KGLM-FMis licensed in Anaconda. It is owned by Butte Broadcasting Inc.[22]
Film credits[edit]
Anaconda has been a filming location for a few movies, documentaries and a TV show, including:
- 1960 -Perch of The Devil,Harvey Richards Media Archive (Estuary Press)
- 1974 -The Legendary Mountain.Montana State University Film and T.V. Center
- 1978 -The Other Side of Hell,Aubrey-Lyon Productions
- 1981 -Today,NBC News Production
- 1985 -Runaway Train,Golan-Globus Productions
- 1986 -Better Pictures,Left Handed Pictures
- 1987 -Portrait Of America,Turner Broadcasting System
- 1992 -Return to Better Pictures,Sloppy Films
- 1993 -Return to Lonesome Dove,Artisan Home Entertainment
- 2005 -Backroads of Montana,Montana PBS
- 2008 -Prodigal Sons,Big Sky Productions
- 2012 -Diggers,Half Yard Productions
- 2016 -Dead 7,Syfy
- 2016 -Lester Leaps In,Montana Mafia Productions
- 2018 -Jeremy Bass: We Will Be You,Annie McCain Casting
- 2018 -Far Cry 5: Inside Eden's Gate,Asylum Entertainment
- 2019 -Worth The Wait,Maney Telefilm Co.
- 2019 -Mickey and the Bear,Utopia
- 2020 -Trail of Justice,Eagle Ridge Studios
- 2020 -Two Eyes,Two Eyes Productions
- 2020 -Backroads of Montana,Montana PBS
- 2022 -The Ghost Town Terror,Travel Channel
- 2022 -Father Stu,Sony Pictures Releasing
- 2022 -1923 (TV series),101 Studios, Bosque Ranch Productions & MTV Entertainment Studios
- TBA -Brown,Dark Frames
- TBA -Broke,Broken Films
- TBA -Ghosts of Gold Creek,TBA
Notable people[edit]
- Lucille Ball– actress; lived in Anaconda briefly as a child; she was born in Jamestown, New York.
- John H. Collins– classical scholar
- Frank Cope–New York Giantsoffensive lineman
- Joseph Paul Cretzer- Bank Robber & Alcatraz Inmate
- Marcus Daly– founder of Anaconda, and one of the "Copper Kings"of Butte
- Lester Dragstedt– first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins[23]
- Wayne Estes– college basketball star
- Bert Glennon– cinematographer and director
- Raymond Hunthausen– Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seattle
- Rob Johnson– formerMajor League Baseballcatcher
- Ed Kalafat– NBAMinneapolis Lakersbasketball player
- Nancy Keenan– politician,NARALpresident
- Hal C. Kern– film editor
- Angela McLean– Lieutenant Governor of Montana
- Jesse Laslovich- Montana Attorney & US District Attorney for District of Montana
- Milan Lazetich– football player forLos Angeles Rams
- George A. Lingo– politician in theAlaska Territory
- Jack Morris,S.J.– born in Anaconda, founded and named theJesuit Volunteer Corps.[24]
- Casper Oimoen– Olympic ski jumper
- Bill Ray– Alaska businessman, politician, writer
- Roger Rouse- Professional Boxer
- Michael Sells– Islamic studies expert
- Bridget Sullivan-Lizzie Borden's maid. Lived in Anaconda for the rest of her life until her death.
- George Leo Thomas– First Roman Catholic Archbishop ofLas Vegas.
- Ralph "Papa" Thorson– bounty hunter, subject ofThe HunterstarringSteve McQueen
- Lester Thurow– economist
- John H. Tolan– U.S. Congressman from California
- Gene Vuckovich- Montana Senate of 39th District
- Thomas J. Ward– Medal of Honor recipient in the Civil War[25]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 2,2021.
- ^abMorris, Patrick F. (1997).Anaconda, Montana: Copper Smelting Boom Town on the Western Frontier.Swann Pub. pp. 33–34.ISBN978-0-9657209-2-2.RetrievedNovember 30,2023.
- ^Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983).Names on the Face of Montana.Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 6.ISBN0-87842-150-5.
- ^Jerry Calvert, "The Rise and Fall of Socialism in a Company Town, 1902–1905",Montana,Dec 1986, Vol. 36 Issue 4, pp 2-13
- ^Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers.Montana Place Names from Alzada to ZortmanArchivedOctober 8, 2009, at theWayback Machine.Montana Historical Society Press.
- ^"Charter of Anaconda - Deer Lodge County"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 8, 2023.
- ^"NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedDecember 13,2023.
- ^"Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedDecember 13,2023.
- ^Moffatt, Riley.Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850–1990.Lanham:Scarecrow, 1996, 127.
- ^ab"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedSeptember 29,2021.
- ^David Leip's Election Atlas
- ^"2022 General State Canvas Report Legislative (Montana)".Montana Secretary of State.RetrievedJune 25,2023.
- ^"1944 Montana Legislative Assembly Elected Members"(PDF).Montana Secretary of State.RetrievedJune 25,2023.
- ^"Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT | Official Website".
- ^"Anaconda Public Schools".Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2014.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^"Member Schools".Montana High School Association.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Hearst Free Library".Hearst Free Library.RetrievedApril 13,2021.
- ^Geil, M. (1998).Anaconda's treasure: The Hearst Free Library.Anaconda, MT: The Library.
- ^FAA Airport Form 5010 for 3U3PDF,effective 2007-12-20
- ^"About Us".Community Hospital of Anaconda.RetrievedSeptember 14,2023.
- ^"Anaconda Leader".Anaconda Chamber of Commerce.RetrievedApril 16,2021.
- ^"KGLM-FM".FCC.RetrievedSeptember 14,2023.
- ^Corman, Marvin L. (2005).Colon and Rectal Surgery.Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.p. 1574.ISBN0781740436.RetrievedMay 30,2015.
- ^"Founder of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps movement dies".Catholic Sentinel.October 2, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2017.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
- ^"Thomas J. Ward".Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 1,2014.
Further reading[edit]
- Mercier, Laurie.Anaconda: Labor, Community, and Culture in Montana's Smelter City(University of Illinois Press, 2001) 300pp
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Chamber of Commerce
- Clark Fork Watershed Education Program
- Video portrait of Anaconda
- .Encyclopedia Americana.1920.
Municipalities and communities ofDeer Lodge County, Montana,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
