Page Contents for Jordan, Montana

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Historical Events

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Statistics & Facts

The Montana state capital is Helena.
The population of Jordan is approximately 450 (1990), 343 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 258 (1990), 170 (2010).
The amount of land area in Jordan is 0.919 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Jordan to Washington DC is 1683 miles.
The distance to the Montana state capital is 255 miles. (as the crow flies)
Jordan is positioned 47.32 degrees north of the equator and 106.91 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

Originally settled in 1896, Jordan officially became a town by Postal designation on July 11, 1899. The founder, Arthur Jordan, had hunted the area a great deal and in 1896 decided to bring his family here to settle along the banks of the Big Dry Creek. He soon took up trading with the local cattlemen and sheep men and it wasn't long until he had a store of sorts. Mail for the area residents began to find its way to the Jordan homestead and in 1899, Mr. Jordan and some of the local residents petitioned for a Post Office, with Arthur Jordan as the Postmaster. Since this Post Office had to have a name, they all agreed to call it "Jordan".
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Attractions

Garfield County Museum
email the Museum

Learn more about Jordan
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Jordan Historical Events

1930's to PresentBaan Wille and Pioneer Garage
In the early 1930's the main grocery and hardware store in Jordan was owned by the West Family. In 1933, a man by the name of Baan Wille, and brother Willem Wille bought out the West Merchantile. Baan Willewas a Hollander that had moved to Brusette, where he also had a store. Brusette is about 20 miles from Jordan. In 1934 the new Baan Wille Store was built and in business. They sold a variety of things from clothing to hardware to groceries. About 10 years later, Baan doubled the size of the store. They now had only groceries and hardware. Baan Wille had two children: Betty and Sterling. In the early 1940's Baan Wille sold 2/3 of the store to Betty and Sterling, 1/3 each. Baan Wille Store was now Baan Wille, Inc. Betty was manager of the store for about fifteen years, then Sterling took over. The Baan Wille Store prospered right up until the doors closed in 1974. Jimmy Ryan also had a grocery store and it is still in business. Plans to rebuild and reopen Baan Wille Store are in process, and should break ground shortly.

A few years before the Baan Wille store, a man by the name of Arthur Hageman began the Pioneer garage. It was a mechanic shop and Chevrolet dealership, with Texaco pumps. Arthur had also started the FirstMuniicipal Light Plant, which served electricity to the area until McCone electric came in. Arthur had two sons, Flloyd and Harold, who later owned the Pioneer. In the 1950's Harold had the Garage rebuilt to its present look, and later sold it to his sons George and Bob. The Pioneer sold many Chevrolets and still is, but a failure to meet Gov't standards on underground pumps has currently stopped gas sales. Georgeand Bob have begun construction on a new self service across from the old Pioneer, and plan to be selling Sinclair gas by the first of the year.