Introduction to Wheatland County
POPULATION (2000 Census) WEATHER Wheatland County, located in the heart of Montana at the cross roads of Highway 191 and Highway 12, is considered semi-arid but timely rains and irrigation provide needed moisture for farming. Cold periods in the winter alternate with milder days. Warm winds known as “Chinooks” can raise temperatures 80 degrees in a 24-hour period. Primary precipitation comes in the form of rain between March and July. Humidity levels are relatively low. ELEVATION TYPES OF WORKERS RACES MEDIAN AGE………………………………………………………...41.4 |
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MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME………………………………............……$24,491 (YEAR 2000)
COMMUNITY LOCATION
Wheatland County has ideal regional distribution to 34% of the state’s total population. It is centrally located between four of Montana’s major cities and about two hours from each of them. These four cities, Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Helena have at least one college each, plus a variety of Vo-Tech Schools.
WORK FORCE
The average age of the county’s work force, according to Job Service of Montana is 38 years and the average level of education at 25 years is high school or better.
EMPLOYERS and LOCAL INDUSTRY
The largest industry in Wheatland County is services, followed by retail trade, with manufacturing being third. Some of the largest employers in the county include the school districts and Wheatland Memorial Hospital.
CITY OF HARLOWTON |
(406) 632-5523 |
The city operates a municipal swimming pool in the summer. Chief Joseph Park is one of Central Montana’s best kept secrets. It serves as a rest stop for highway travelers, as well as having camping and RV spaces with electrical and water hookups. The park has a stocked fishing pond, playground, and covered picnic shelters.
AREA SERVICE AND SOCIAL CLUBS
| Harlowton Kiwanis Club | Wheatland County Senior Center |
| Musselshell Lodge No. 69 AF | County Stockgrowers |
| Primrose Chapter, Order of Eastern Star | Harlowton Woman’s Club |
| Wheatland Memorial Hospital Guild | Chamber of Commerce |
| Democratic Central Committee | Republican Central Committee |
| Jawbone Players Theater Group | FFA Alumni Club, Judith Gap |
Judith Gap Booster Club
Harlowton Moose Lodge 1546 and Women of the Moose
Jack McLeod Post No. 1551 of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies’
Auxiliary
Wheatland Post No. 15 of the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary
Upper Musselshell Sportsman’s Association and Shooting Range
Engineer X’tras (adult booster club for school extra-curricular
activities)
TOWN OF JUDITH GAP |
(406) 473-2221 |
The town of Judith Gap offers a summer baseball program, hosts Lazy Days celebration each August and is home of the Judith Gap Mercantile, famous for its milkshakes.
AREA CHURCHES
| American Lutheran Church (406) 632-5876 |
Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS) (406) 252-5141 |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (406) 632-4654 |
Wesleyan Methodist Church (406) 632-5834 |
| Faith Chapel Assembly of God (406) 632-4866 |
Judith Gap Catholic Church (406) 632-5538 |
| Federated Church United Methodist & Presbyterian (406) 632-4228 |
United Methodist Church of Judith Gap (406) 632-4228 |
| St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (406) 632-5538 |
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Staffed by 26 volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), the county has two ambulances in service in Harlowton and one in Judith Gap. Air ambulance (helicopter and fixed wing) is available from Billings and Great Falls.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
A 24-hour dispatch center located at the Law Enforcement Center will dispatch the proper emergency personnel and equipment.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
28 volunteer firemen are aided by members living in the outlying communities and reserves to total 50 firefighters in the county. They provide fire protection to all rural areas with most of the equipment housed in Harlowton, but each outlying community has a truck. The county has a “9” insurance rating with Harlowton at “6”.
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
(406) 632-5614 |
Sheriff: Jim
Rosenberg
The Sheriff’s office has a full-time Sheriff (elected) and
4 full-time Deputies, and several reserve officers. 24-hour
a day service is provided to county residents, including the City
of Harlowton (on a contract basis). A resident Game Warden
and resident Highway Patrolman are part of the law enforcement
staff.
Local Government Agencies
CITY OF HARLOWTON |
(406) 632-5523 |
Mayor 2006-2009: John Peccia
The city is incorporated and governed by a Mayor and six Councilpersons, two elected from each of the city’s three wards. All positions are part-time, 4-year terms. The City Council meets at least twice a month in the City Office. The City Offices are located at 17 S. Central and is staffed by a full-time clerk. Businesses vary depending on usage.
TOWN OF JUDITH GAP |
(406) 632-2221 |
Mayor 2005-2009: David Foster
The city is governed by a Mayor and three part-time Councilpersons who are elected for four years terms.
Water and sewer rates are $50 per month, per household.
WHEATLAND COUNTY |
(406) 632-4891 |
Commissioner 2000-2006: Tom Bennett
Commissioner 2002-2008: Richard Moe
Commissioner 2004-2010: David Miller
The County is managed by a 3-member commission who are elected for six year
terms. Various department heads are elected officials for four year terms.
MSU WHEATLAND COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE |
(406) 632-4728 |
Extension Agent—Mandie Reed
U.S. FOREST SERVICE |
(406) 632-4391 |
The District Ranger and full staff for the Musselshell Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service is located in Harlowton. They manage area assets of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE |
406) 632-5534 ext 3 |
District Conservationist – John Oiestad
UPPER MUSSELSHELL CONSERVATION DISTRICT |
(406) 632-5534 ext 3 |
District Administrative Assistant – Cheryl Miller
FARM SERVICE AGENCY |
(406) 632-5534 ext 1 |
Kathy Hiner – CED
Farm Service Agency has an office in Harlowton and provides a full range of support services to area agricultural clients.
MONTANA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD |
(406) 632-4612 |
SSG Mary Huot
www.1800goguard.com
Education
Wheatland County has a history of academic achievement. Students are served by three public school districts. There are three elementary schools and two high schools in the county serving approximately 420 students county wide.
Hillcrest Elementary School
Hillcrest Elementary School is K-6th grade and has about 180 students enrolled at the Harlowton campus and in three Hutterite Colonies. The average class is 13 students. Hillcrest offers outstanding after school activities and summer programs for students.
500 B Avenue NE
Harlowton MT 59036
(406) 632-4361
www.harlowton.k12.mt.us
Harlowton High School
Harlowton High School serves approximately 160 students grades 7-12. The average class size is 25 students. Harlowton High School offers a wide variety of sports and extra curricular actives. Refer to their web site for details.
304 Division
Harlowton MT 59036
(406) 632-4342
www.harlowton.k12.mt.us
Judith Gap School
Approximately 75 students K-12
304 4th Ave
Judith Gap, MT 59453
(406) 473-2211
Shawmut School
Approximately 6 students K-6. The students are taught by
one teacher in a combined setting. Students attend Harlowton
High School for grades 7-12.
Shawmut Montana, 59078
(406) 632-4430
Professional Services
Financial Institutions
CONTINENTAL NATIONAL BANK |
(406) 632-4373 |
32 North Central Ave.
PO Box 247
Harlowton, MT 59036
www.contnatbank.com
HOURS: Lobby: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm --- Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Drive-up: Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
TRI-COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION |
(406) 632-4357 |
15 1ST Street SE.
PO Box 532
Harlowton, MT 59036
HOURS: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 1:00 pm --- Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Public Library
HARLOWTON CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY |
(406) 632-5584 |
17 S. Central
PO Box 663
Harlowton, MT 59036
HOURS: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am to 9:00 pm --- Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The newly renovated Harlowton Library is an inviting friendly space. The library has 6 computers available for use by the public, a small conference room, and a great selections of over 20,000 books for children and adults. The library has a full selection of books about Montana’s rich history.
Veterinary Services
| Harlowton Vet Clinic East of Harlowton Brian Roe, DVM Katie Rein, DVM (406) 632-5548 |
Sherrie Nash, DVM 404 Hawkeye Road Harlowton MT 59036 (406) 632-5640 |
| Parks Veterinary Clinic 39 North Central Ave Harlowton MT (406) 632-7838 Katherine Parks, DVM |
Medical
BAIR MEMORIAL CLINIC |
(406) 632-4343 |
530 3RD St. NW
PO Box 2911
Harlowton, MT 59036
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings. Two family practice physicians and one physician’s assistant take care of your family medical needs. Specialists from larger facilities also conduct clinics usually on a monthly basis.
DR. DENNIS SACRY |
(406) 632-4511 |
201 DIVISION
PO Box 136
Harlowton, MT 59036
Family dentistry and orthodontics provided on a part-time basis – 2 days/week.
WHEATLAND MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE |
(406) 632-4351 |
530 3RD ST. NW
PO Box 287
Harlowton, MT 59036
www.wheatlandmemorial.org
Wheatland Memorial Hospital has 25 swing/acute beds. The hospital offers emergency room services, an intensive care unit, radiology lab, Tele-Pharmacy, CT scanner, DXA scanner, and ultrasound. Two family practice physicians and one physician’s assistant staff the Bair Memorial Clinic and Wheatland Memorial Hospital.
Services for Senior Citizens
WHEATLAND COUNTY SENIOR CENTER |
(406) 632-4360 |
41 Central Ave.
PO Box 515
Harlowton, MT 59036
The Senior Center offers a meeting room, entertainment and social gatherings, four noon meals a week, and Meals-on-Wheels for homebound persons.
SENIOR BUS |
(406) 632-4360 |
Arrangements for transportation can be made for medical appointments, grocery shopping, out-of-town tours, etc. It also provides weekly rides for nursing home residents.
Media
CENTRAL MONTANA COMMUNICATIONS |
(800) 332-2624 |
PO Box 751
Havre, MT 59501
Provides phone service, Dial-up and ADSL High Speed Internet connections.
MID-RIVERS COMMUNICATIONS |
(406) 535-3336 |
223 W. Janueax
Lewistown, MT 59457
THE TIMES CLARION |
(406) 632-5633 |
Public Usage Fax |
(406) 632-5644 |
111 S. Central – PO Box 307
Harlowton, MT 59036
www.harlotms@mtintouch.net
Publish a weekly newspaper and provide commercial printing services
Utilities
CENTRAL MONTANA COMMUNICATIONS |
(406) 538-8393 |
PO Box 751
Havre, MT 59501
Provides phone service, Dial-up and ADSL High Speed Internet connections.
DISPOSAL SERVICES OF MONTANA |
(406) 538-8393 |
41 Central Ave.
PO Box 515
Lewistown, MT 59457
Solid waste disposal is provided to the county through a private contractor in Lewistown.
FERGUS ELECTRIC |
(406) 538-3465 |
41 Central Ave.
PO Box 515
Lewistown, MT 59457
Some rural areas of the county are served by Fergus Electric.
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY |
(406) 538-3465 |
41 Central Ave.
PO Box 515
Lewistown, MT 59457
Northwestern Energy serves most of the county with electricity and natural gas
Housing and Real Estate
DOUBLE T REALTY |
(406) 632-4505 |
Bill Jones
Jones Road
PO Box 769
Harlowton, MT 59036
CENTRAL MONTANA REAL ESTATE |
(406) 220-0795 |
David Miller
402 South River
Harlowton, MT 59036
MID-MONTANA REAL ESTATE |
(406) 632-4366 |
Tom and Linda Hayden
10 North Central Ave
PO Box 828
Harlowton, MT 59036
SWEETGRASS TITLE CO. |
(406) 932-4888 |
Mark Josephson
PO Box 1067
Big Timber, MT 59011
