Page Contents for Hamilton, Montana

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

---

Statistics & Facts

The Montana state capital is Helena.
The population of Hamilton is approximately 4,463 (1999), 4348 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 2175 (2010).
The amount of land area in Hamilton is 4.576 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Hamilton to Washington DC is 2027 miles.
The distance to the Montana state capital is 107 miles. (as the crow flies)
Hamilton is positioned 46.25 degrees north of the equator and 114.16 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Hamilton elevation is 3,572 feet above sea level.
Hamilton average annual rainfall is 12-15 inches per year
Hamilton average annual snowfall is 6 inches per year.

Location

in western Montana, about 45 miles from Missoula on highway 93. The Bitterroot Valley makes up much of this area.

Hamilton is surrounded on the west by The Bitterroot Mountain Range and on the east by The Saphire Mountain Range. The east and west fork of The Bitterroot River run south to north through the Valley. The surrounding towns to the south are Darby, and Sula and to the north are Corvallis, Victor, Stevensville, and Florence.
Return to Index

Climate

moderate. This area is well-known as the "Banana Belt" of Montana because of the mild weather for a northern area. While snowfall in the valley is only about 6 inches per year, the mountain areas, such as at the lost Trail Ski area, average about 200 inches per year. Most days are sunny with about 270 such days each year.
Return to Index

Weather

not severe. Here is a weather page for Hamilton.
Return to Index

History & History Related Items

Lewis and Clark applied the name "Bitterroot Valley" to the whole valley where they found this plant growing profusely. The plant's botanical name is Lewisia rediviva which comes from the explorers name. The Bitterroot was officially designated as Montana's State Flower by the Legislature in 1895

Hamilton was named after James Hamilton who came to Montana when the Copper King, Marcus Daly, asked him to come to plan and develop the town. Hamilton is unique in that it didn't evolve as a town, but began as a planned town with wide streets and an economic center for the area farms and ranches. Daly had come to the area looking for industry other than his already established mining industry. In 1887, he found the Bitterroot Valley and began lumber and sawmill operations quite rapidly. This is when Hamilton entered the picture. Daly invited Hamilton and Robert O'Hara to come from Minnesota in 1890. Daly made the decision to name the town for Hamilton and appointed the first mayor, O'Hara. Hamilton was incorporated about 1894.

Additional history information may be found on this history page for the Bitterroot Valley.
Return to Index

Attractions

Hamilton is the county seat of Ravalli County which basically covers the Bitterroot Valley. The Valley, itself, is 25 miles wide and 96 miles long and covers 2,383 square miles. It has varied scenery and activities of all kinds.

Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley area.

Much information about the Bitterroot Valley area.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain
This resort accumulates more snow, in general, than any other place in Montana giving it the distinction of having among the best downhill slopes in the state.

There is also cross-country skiing available in the area. There are miles of Nordic and snowmobile trails to be used.

DALY MANSION
Eastside Hwy
PO Box 223
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-363-6004
Fax (406)375-0048
The historic home of Copper King, Marcus Daly, just outside the town of Hamilton, Montana. Approximately 45 miles south of Missoula, Montana on Highway 269, at mile marker 2

Ravalli County Museum
205 Bedford Street
(The Old Courthouse)
Hamilton, Montana
Phone: (406) 363-3338
This building was the Ravalli County Courthouse and now holds collections of antique household, commercial, scientific and military items.

Skalkaho - a snowmobile area about two miles south of Hamilton. This is one of the most scenic snowmobile areas in Montana and also one of the least-traveled. No cars are allowed in the area in the winter. It gives beautiful year-round vistas. During winter you can view the frozen Skalkaho Falls.

Firesong Forge
Come visit Wil's blacksmithing shop in Hamilton, Montana, where he creates sculpture and artistic ironwork, architectural ironwork and a wide variety of commissioned wrought iron pieces.

BitterrootSites.com lists all community information, links, history, etc. for Ravalli County, Montana.
Return to Index

---

Hamilton City Government

Hamilton City Hall
223 S 2nd St
Hamilton, MT 59840-2557
Phone: 406-363-2101

---

---

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

---

Ravalli County
205 Bedford Street
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: (406) 363-2101

---

---

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

---

Bitterroot National Forest Office
1801 N. 1ST St.
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-363-3131

Hamilton Chamber

Bitterroot Valley Chamber Of Commerce
105 E Main St
Hamilton, MT 59840-2567
Phone: 406-363-2400
Fax: 406-363-2402

Hamilton Community Events

Calendar of Events for the Bitterroot Valley area.

Hamilton Organizations

Bitterroot Valley Chamber Of Commerce
105 E Main St
Hamilton, MT 59840-2567
Phone: 406-363-2400
Fax: 406-363-2402

Hamilton Libraries

Bitterroot Public Library
306 State St
Hamilton, MT 59840-2759
Phone: 406-363-1670

Hamilton Schools

Hamilton Administration Center
217 Daly Ave
Hamilton, MT 59840-2827
Phone: 406-363-2280

---

Ravalli County School Supt
Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-375-6273

---

Hamilton High School
327 Fairgrounds Rd
Hamilton, Montana
Phone: 406-363-2021 Hamilton

Miscellany

The population of Hamilton was:
1990 - 2,737
1999 - 4,463