basin montana basin census designated place montana united_states lies miles southeast high narrow canyon interstate halfway flows roughly north south basin enters settlement south population census archaeologists discovered evidence human years ago site near miles basin bce mid-19th century nomadic tribes hunted grassy valleys trend east away rocky_mountains plains time miners found gold streams near basin tribes indians forced reservations government basin rests host rock valuable mineral found montana town hub gold silver mining basin population peaked decade 20th century gradually declined mines depleted abandoned mining equipment closed ruins ore remain basin 21st century historic buildings basin form core small business district includes fire station post office restaurants bar commercial gallery small specialty shops basin small elementary school water system low power radio station local volunteers elected trustees provide limited services settlement relies government montana law enforcement services basin home geography geology basin lies elevation feet sea level interstate miles north miles south narrow canyon small river community largely surrounded flows south center basin confluence larger stream flows east south basin paved roads interstate highway runs river canyon connect basin towns miles upstream lies continental divide according total area square miles km2 land late cretaceous roughly million years ago rock rose earth surface near later eventually formed body rock miles thick miles diameter body known extends host rock valuable mined region granite cooled cracked hot solutions cracks form mineral veins bearing gold metals millions years later allowed gold veins wash creeks near basin periods roughly million million years ago late cretaceous cut history peoples think likely people live montana crossed asia north_america existed major ice age years ago middle continent covered sheets ice people migrated south trails edges glaciers melted seasonal warming trail called great north trail thought followed montana passing close miles north basin continuing east central state evidence early indians people found sites site near miles north basin age artifacts estimated years people thought disappeared bce montana climate dry support animal populations needed survive years ago new prehistoric people known late hunters appeared montana thriving buffalo population living open grassy areas plains river valleys earliest tribes thought stayed west ventured east mountains east country miles southeast basin 17th century crow entered montana east south pressed tribes retreating west white european settlers moved montana acquiring horses firearms numbering formed alliances incoming tribes century dominated state white explorers lewis clark traveled found allies heavily dependent nomadic life came abrupt end early 1880s buffalo extinct 1870s years white miners began looking gold near basin large scale battles government indians took place montana known baker massacre occurred miles northeast basin fought miles basin southeastern state peoples moved reservations far basin camp town basin began 19th century mining camp near confluence gold deposits mouth miles downstream basin reported early claims built years mining extended lengths settlement established basin buildings mouth creek gradually moved basin camp abandoned searches veins creeks succeeded 1870s eventually led significant mining mines district hope mines district settlement basin local source supplies mines miners boom bust mines hope owned different companies contributed basin prosperity basin organized brothers named glass began expanded operations mines flooding fires caused mines close glass brothers lost control property mines went idle despite ups downs local mines despite disastrous fires town basin prospered led owned mines took properties left glass brothers improved basin population houses drug store hotels bath house grocery stores bank newspaper unpublished manuscript file describes life basin great detail railroads north great northern south served city depots warehouses basin carried passengers freight glass brothers set north process concentrated ore delivered rail town mills south infrastructure included weight scale ore cars overhead carry ore river reduction mill massive unit equipped machinery ready operation turned wheel sat idle mining activity continued south river hope complex hope mill crushed separated ore basin reduction works carried water upstream creek storage reservoir town supplied water mills town fire separate carried water mills upstream basin reduction works steam engines driven coal fired boilers provided power run mill machinery electric generator powered water wheel electricity factory lights arc lights basin street intersections surplus discharged river dam built purpose downstream basin addition homes basin structures included dance pavilion baseball diamond playground near confluence river connected playground picnic area south river meeting places included churches union hall story building shared town businesses hardware store stables units shop brewery specializing basin beer dairy barn milk delivered pound covers abandoned properties basin buildings machinery site treat ore new process called sued patent infringement company shut basin plant mining engineer worked superior obtained license process ran smaller extraction plant basin wife described basin mining camp subject recurring periods boom bust tiny telephone office died end era boom town old mill finished skeleton projected extensive successful mining hope vein began began work property company acquired mines comprised feet workings years expanded feet company largest gold producer montana year combined mines produced gold silver pounds copper pounds lead properties passed mining company trustees creditors production declined basin mining small scale mining reworking old mining continued region years merry widow health basin similar mines nearby attracted people seeking relief health problems limited exposure radioactive water practice controversial documented ill effects high dose radiation body basin community formed water sewer districts federal grants cover percent costs built water delivery sewage waste handling system interstate replaced entire length state centerline interstate followed track great northern railway town added basin mining area mining waste problems near town mining area comprised basin included copper lead metals cleanup mining enterprise crystal mines completed removal waste basin completed individual mines opposite hope complex south basin extension north produced ore hope displaced feet north mines miles basin included mile west town route interstate miles north town boulder miles northeast basin south slope mantle south mantle miles north town creek miles east town near road later interstate climate july august typically months boulder miles east basin december january june months total inches precipitation falls weather observations recorded basin june november contained precipitation snowfall data demographics census people households families residing population density people square mile housing units average density square mile racial makeup white native american asian races hispanic latino race population households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size population spread age years age older median age years females males females age males median income household median income family males median income versus females capita income families population poverty line including age arts culture group professional artists established basin nonprofit organization offered artist historic buildings bank meeting hall dry goods store converted apartment studio space organization sponsored annual art events including held types artists including painters musicians dancers singers writers basin refuge closed october education business government public elementary school serves students pre sixth grade older students attend school boulder town small business district includes bar restaurants traveler inn center small specialty shops pottery gallery low power radio station owned emergency services broadcasts basin county state federal agencies provide government services available basin local residents serve elected trustees volunteer fire department elected trustees oversee sheriff department provides law enforcement county departments offer trash removal recycling emergency management services road maintenance county health department clinic boulder miles east basin county courthouse district court nearest branch county library boulder post office basin
Basin, Montana