Laurel, Montana
Encyclopedia
Laurel is a city in Yellowstone County
, Montana
, United States
. It is part of the Billings, Montana
Metropolitan Statistical Area
, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east-west terminal division point of the Burlington-Northern Railroad.. The population was 6,781 at the 2010 census.
Both Interstate 90
and a number of local railroads run through Laurel. It is most known for its industry and agriculture, but also has a historic shopping district.
Laurel is home to a Cenex Harvest States
oil refinery
and Montana Rail Link's Laurel Yard, the largest rail yard between St. Paul
, Minnesota
and Pasco, Washington
.
The history of Laurel, began when settlers began making their homes in the vicinity in 1879. There was a section house built that served as a depot and post office, situated about where Hobo Hill is, or near the center of the present railroad yards east of Laurel. The railroad pushed closer to Laurel from the east, up the Yellowstone Valley during the summer of 1882. Up to this time, there were about 200 people in the community. With the advent of the railroad, many people came to work, with the population growing to 368 in 1900, 806 in 1910, and 2,338 in 1920.
Laurel was originally known as the station of Carlton, however by 1883, its name was changed to Laurel, after a local shrub. Laurel was considered a town in 1906, but it was not until August 1908 that it became incorporated, and two months later, on October 10, 1908, city government was established with the election of a city council and mayor.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land.
Some of Laurel's residents commute the 15 miles (24.1 km) to Billings
, Montana's largest city. Laurel is also significant as it lies on one of two main roads to Red Lodge
, 45 miles (72.4 km) southwest on US 212
; it is a popular mountain town and an end of the Beartooth Highway
.
Laurel is also served by the Laurel Municipal Airport
, a publicly-owned public-use airport
, which is located 2.4 miles (3.9 km) north of the central business district
.
In November 2007, the citizens of Laurel approved a city charter with self-governing powers. This allows for the position of Chief Administrative Officer to supervise the city's operations.
Legislative authority is vested in the City Council, which is composed of eight aldermen or women who are elected to four-year terms by the residents of the Ward within which the respective alderman/woman resides. The City Council has management and control of the finances and property of the City. The City Council has the power to adopt ordinances and regulations consistent with state and federal law for the good government, preservation of good order, benefit of trade and commerce, protection of the quality of life within the city, and, as necessary, to carry out the purposes of the government of the City of Laurel.
As of 2010, Ken Olson holds the seat of Mayor of Laurel.
Laurel Police Department occasionally accepts applications from individuals who would like to volunteer their time to serve and protect the community. As reserve officer's, they are offered training, challenge, excitement, teamwork, and significant personal rewards.
The LPD has had a reserve program for over 35 years assisting to make Laurel a safer place to live, work and visit.
In addition to firefighting and rescue, the fire department is known for it’s world class 4 July fireworks, rated as one of the top 10 events in the Northwest, and it’s Christmas holiday celebration.
The Fire Department is also known for award winning Fire Prevention program. With the motto “Prevention through Education”, the LVFD visits the children of Laurel several times a year, educating them on preventing fires and fire safety. The first week of October is named “Fire Prevention Week”. The week is filled with visits to the schools by the Firefighters, an open house where the Department’s doors are opened to the public and an hour-long program for the children of the community.
oil refinery, Montana Rail Link, Laurel School District 7-70, and Wood's Power Grip comprise the major employers in Laurel. Farming and ranching provide other important mainstays.
Demand-Response Service is available Monday-Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is a door-to-door service that requires an advance notice. Reservations must be made the day prior to need by 4:00 pm. You may make your reservation by calling the City of Laurel Public Works Department at 628-4796. On the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of each month the Demand-Response Service will make trips to Billings. On these days the door-to-door service will be unavailable within the City of Laurel.
The City of Laurel Van Pool Service will be available to the Billings Downtown Area from Laurel for those that would like to consider carpooling to work during the week. The Van Pool bus will leave at approximately 7:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5:30 p.m. Cost to ride the Van Pool is $10 per week. There is room for 15 passengers in the Van Pool.
606 South 5th
Laurel, MT 59044
West Elementary
502 Eighth Avenue
Laurel, MT 59044
Graff Elementary
417 E Sixth Street
Laurel, MT 59044
Laurel Aviation and Technology Week - Inaugurated in 1991 It has been held every three years except for the millennium year. the most recent event was May 10–14, 2007 with an event planned for May 9–12, 2011
, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
, and Pompey's Pillar National Monument (where in 1806, William Clark carved his name).
Additionally, Laurel is home to the Laurel Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course.
of 2000, there were 6,255 people, 2,529 households, and 1,739 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,318.5 people per square mile (1,284.6/km²). There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 1,404.3 per square mile (543.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.55% White, 0.16% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.
There were 2,529 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,679, and the median income for a family was $40,068. Males had a median income of $33,370 versus $17,201 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,953. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Yellowstone County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Nez Perce National Historical Park * Pompeys Pillar National Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 129,352 people, 52,084 households, and 34,219 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile . There were...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Billings Metropolitan Area
The Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area is the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Montana. Located in south central portion of the state, its population was 158,050 at the 2010 census....
, and is located in the Yellowstone Valley, as an east-west terminal division point of the Burlington-Northern Railroad.. The population was 6,781 at the 2010 census.
Both Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
and a number of local railroads run through Laurel. It is most known for its industry and agriculture, but also has a historic shopping district.
Laurel is home to a Cenex Harvest States
CHS, Inc.
CHS Inc. is a Fortune 100 organization owned by United States agricultural cooperatives, farmers, ranchers and thousands of preferred stock holders. Based in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, its activities include grain merchandising and transportation, sunflower and soybean processing, wholesale...
oil refinery
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
and Montana Rail Link's Laurel Yard, the largest rail yard between St. Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
and Pasco, Washington
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
.
History
Before Laurel became a city or a community, people passed through the site during the gold rush period, when gold was discovered at the Clarks Fork headwaters. They came by team and wagon, and by small steamer vessels up the Yellowstone River. The government was in the process of planning a railroad to the west coast, and had surveying crews out to map the country on the most direct route. Many of the prospectors that went west in search of gold, felt that gold might be found in other parts of the state, so some returned to the Yellowstone Valley, and others came from the East to settle here. However, this did not take place until after the Custer Massacre in 1876. It was not until 1877 that the white man felt safe in the Yellowstone Valley, after the power of the Sioux was broken. So it was that while the memory of the Massacre of General Custer and his Command on the Little Big Horn River was still fresh in the minds of settlers of Montana, that a little community was established in the Yellowstone Valley.The history of Laurel, began when settlers began making their homes in the vicinity in 1879. There was a section house built that served as a depot and post office, situated about where Hobo Hill is, or near the center of the present railroad yards east of Laurel. The railroad pushed closer to Laurel from the east, up the Yellowstone Valley during the summer of 1882. Up to this time, there were about 200 people in the community. With the advent of the railroad, many people came to work, with the population growing to 368 in 1900, 806 in 1910, and 2,338 in 1920.
Laurel was originally known as the station of Carlton, however by 1883, its name was changed to Laurel, after a local shrub. Laurel was considered a town in 1906, but it was not until August 1908 that it became incorporated, and two months later, on October 10, 1908, city government was established with the election of a city council and mayor.
Geography
Laurel is located at 45°40′26"N 108°46′15"W (45.673986, -108.770893). It is located at 3300 feet (1006 m) above sea level.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all of it land.
Some of Laurel's residents commute the 15 miles (24.1 km) to Billings
Billings, Montana
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
, Montana's largest city. Laurel is also significant as it lies on one of two main roads to Red Lodge
Red Lodge, Montana
Red Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Carbon County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 45 miles (72.4 km) southwest on US 212
U.S. Route 212
U.S. Route 212 is a spur of U.S. Route 12. Though it currently never intersects U.S. 12, it once had an eastern terminus at U.S. 12 in St. Paul, Minnesota. It runs for 949 miles from Minnesota Highway 62 at Edina, Minnesota to Yellowstone National Park.U.S. 212 passes through the states of...
; it is a popular mountain town and an end of the Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway
The Beartooth Highway is an All-American Road that has been called "the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt...
.
Laurel is also served by the Laurel Municipal Airport
Laurel Municipal Airport
Laurel Municipal Airport is a publicly owned public-use airport in Laurel, Montana, which is located eleven miles southwest of the central business district of Billings, Montana, a city in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA...
, a publicly-owned public-use airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
, which is located 2.4 miles (3.9 km) north of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
Government
The City of Laurel operates under a Mayor - Alderman form of government. Full executive authority is vested in the Mayor, who is elected at-large for a four-year term. The Mayor presides over the meetings of the City Council and appoints and charges regular and special committees of the City Council. The Mayor is eligible to vote only in cases of a tie, but he may be heard at all times. He may veto all City Council actions, including line items within a budget resolution, and his veto may be overridden by two-thirds of the whole membership of the City Council.In November 2007, the citizens of Laurel approved a city charter with self-governing powers. This allows for the position of Chief Administrative Officer to supervise the city's operations.
Legislative authority is vested in the City Council, which is composed of eight aldermen or women who are elected to four-year terms by the residents of the Ward within which the respective alderman/woman resides. The City Council has management and control of the finances and property of the City. The City Council has the power to adopt ordinances and regulations consistent with state and federal law for the good government, preservation of good order, benefit of trade and commerce, protection of the quality of life within the city, and, as necessary, to carry out the purposes of the government of the City of Laurel.
As of 2010, Ken Olson holds the seat of Mayor of Laurel.
Police Department
The Laurel Police Department is a member of the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium (MTLETC). Rick Musson was promoted to the position of Chief of Police in August 1998, a position which he continues to hold.Laurel Police Department occasionally accepts applications from individuals who would like to volunteer their time to serve and protect the community. As reserve officer's, they are offered training, challenge, excitement, teamwork, and significant personal rewards.
The LPD has had a reserve program for over 35 years assisting to make Laurel a safer place to live, work and visit.
Fire Department
The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department has the main purpose of providing firefighting and rescue emergency response for the community of Laurel, the 110 square miles (284.9 km²) surrounding Laurel and to all those who are traveling though and find themselves in need of assistance. In addition, the LVFD provides mutual aid to Billings, Park City, and CHS Industrial Fire Departments; and assistance as needed to several surrounding Fire Departments, including Lockwood, Red Lodge, Columbus, Molt and Joliet.In addition to firefighting and rescue, the fire department is known for it’s world class 4 July fireworks, rated as one of the top 10 events in the Northwest, and it’s Christmas holiday celebration.
The Fire Department is also known for award winning Fire Prevention program. With the motto “Prevention through Education”, the LVFD visits the children of Laurel several times a year, educating them on preventing fires and fire safety. The first week of October is named “Fire Prevention Week”. The week is filled with visits to the schools by the Firefighters, an open house where the Department’s doors are opened to the public and an hour-long program for the children of the community.
Economy
Cenex Harvest StatesCHS, Inc.
CHS Inc. is a Fortune 100 organization owned by United States agricultural cooperatives, farmers, ranchers and thousands of preferred stock holders. Based in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, its activities include grain merchandising and transportation, sunflower and soybean processing, wholesale...
oil refinery, Montana Rail Link, Laurel School District 7-70, and Wood's Power Grip comprise the major employers in Laurel. Farming and ranching provide other important mainstays.
Transportation
The City of Laurel now has two types of public transit available to City residents: a Demand-Response Service and a Van Pool to Billings.Demand-Response Service is available Monday-Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is a door-to-door service that requires an advance notice. Reservations must be made the day prior to need by 4:00 pm. You may make your reservation by calling the City of Laurel Public Works Department at 628-4796. On the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of each month the Demand-Response Service will make trips to Billings. On these days the door-to-door service will be unavailable within the City of Laurel.
The City of Laurel Van Pool Service will be available to the Billings Downtown Area from Laurel for those that would like to consider carpooling to work during the week. The Van Pool bus will leave at approximately 7:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5:30 p.m. Cost to ride the Van Pool is $10 per week. There is room for 15 passengers in the Van Pool.
Education
The Laurel Public School District operates three elementary education schools (South, West, and Graff), one middle school, and one high school. Josh L. Middleton is the current superintendent.Elementary Schools
South Elementary606 South 5th
Laurel, MT 59044
West Elementary
502 Eighth Avenue
Laurel, MT 59044
Graff Elementary
417 E Sixth Street
Laurel, MT 59044
Recreation/Events
4 July - Parade and fireworks - JulyLaurel Aviation and Technology Week - Inaugurated in 1991 It has been held every three years except for the millennium year. the most recent event was May 10–14, 2007 with an event planned for May 9–12, 2011
Media
The Laurel Outlook is Laurel's newspaper, serving the Laurel and the surrounding areas, with a weekly publication.Attractions
Attractions located near the Laurel area include Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of the June 25, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn, near Crow Agency, Montana, in the United States. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern...
, and Pompey's Pillar National Monument (where in 1806, William Clark carved his name).
Additionally, Laurel is home to the Laurel Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,255 people, 2,529 households, and 1,739 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,318.5 people per square mile (1,284.6/km²). There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 1,404.3 per square mile (543.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.55% White, 0.16% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.
There were 2,529 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,679, and the median income for a family was $40,068. Males had a median income of $33,370 versus $17,201 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,953. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
External links
- City Of Laurel Website
- Laurel Chamber of Commerce website
- Laurel Outlook Laurel's weekly newspaper