Miles City, Montana
Encyclopedia
Miles City is a city in and the county seat
of Custer County
, Montana
, United States
. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.
in 1876, the U.S. Army
created forts in eastern Montana, including one where the north-flowing Tongue River
flowed into the east-flowing Yellowstone River
. The first fort was known as the Tongue River Cantonment or the Tongue River Barracks and was founded on August 27, 1876. A second, permanent fort was constructed on higher ground two miles to the west of the mouth of the Tongue and this became Fort Keogh.
Fort Keogh (named after Captain Myles Keogh,one of the battle dead, whose horse, Comanche, was the lone survivor of Custer's command.) started as a few rough winter cabins, but grew into a moderate sized western fort, from which its commander, General Nelson A. Miles
, effectively brought the remaining "uncontrolled" Native Americans
into subjugation during the last decade of the 1800s.
Nelson Miles said that "whiskey caused him more trouble than the Indians" and, after tiring of drunken soldiers causing problems during the winter campaign, evicted the sutlers who provided "liquid stock" in the spring of 1877. Moving two miles due east of the Tongue River Cantonment, these early merchants founded the first Miles City. Although fondly referred to as "Milestown," the first post office and first official plat both called the town "Miles City." When the old cantonment moved two miles west, the town literally picked up and followed, moving to the current site. The last occupants of Old Miles City stayed on until 1900 but the new community was the one that grew.
Before the town itself was founded, George Miles, the nephew of General Miles, who has accompanied his uncle on the western expedition and served in the quartermasters office, bought a herd of sheep.
Livestock speculation brought thousands of cattle to the open ranges in the late 1880s, the railroad was extended through the area, and Texas drove numerous cattle to Miles City to fatten them on free grass and move them to where they could be loaded on trains bound for the slaughterhouses in Chicago
.
Miles City established a municipal electric utility around 1887 and it was a source of civic pride (as any city would have towards its own utilities) until a traveling employee of Minnesota Northern Power (predecessor of MDU Resources Group, Inc.
) told the city council "the emperor has no clothes;" i.e., the system was far less efficient and in worse shape than they thought. The city council eventually put the question to the voters who instructed the city to sell the utility. By this time, the people with the Montana Power Company (now NorthWestern Energy's Montana division) became aware of this and were soon locked in an epic battle with Minnesota Northern over the franchise. A franchise election was held to determine who would serve Miles City on June 28, 1927. Minnesota Northern won by a scant 16 votes.
Miles City experienced rapid growth until the 1920s and 1930s, but became overshadowed by the upstart upriver town of Billings
, which became an oil refining center and is now the largest city in the state.
The publicly-owned Miles City Municipal Airport
is located less than two miles (3 km) from town. Notably, it was the site of an early scheduled airline crash, involving Northwest Airlines
Flight 1
, which caught fire and crashed shortly after takeoff in January, 1939.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all of it land.
Miles City experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen
BSk) with long, cold, dry winters and hot, wetter summers.
of 2000, there were 8,487 people, 3,528 households, and 2,194 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,593.3 people per square mile (1,002.1/km²). There were 3,890 housing units at an average density of 1,188.7 per square mile (459.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.72% White, 0.12% African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 3,528 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,847, and the median income for a family was $41,190. Males had a median income of $30,123 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,449. About 9.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
held in May. Miles City is also home to the Eastern Montana Fair and is the commercial hub of southeastern Montana. The sale is generally held regardless of weather.
http://milescc.edu/ was founded in 1939. The current average student to faculty ratio is 11:1; class sizes range from 8 to 50 students; and over 85% of the students qualify for financial aid. Miles Community College also features free tutoring at the Center for Academic Success. The Judson H. Flower, Jr. Library is located within the main building of Miles Community College, and is equipped with computer lab and INFOTRAC.
Custer County District High School is the only high school in the entire county; some students drive as many as 60 miles (96.6 km) to school. Much of the population's livelihood involves agriculture - entirely or in part; therefore, the National FFA Organization
(Future Farmers of America) organization is very active and about 20% of the student population belong to it. The school is famous for its Chorale, which travels extensively including a trip to Carnegie Hall in NYC in 2005 and a trip to Washington D.C. in 2007. The school boasts that its seniors have an average ACT score of 23 and that 57% of the graduating seniors go on to complete their education at a 4 year university.
Miles City also has 4 elementary schools, Lincoln (4-6), Highland Park (k-3), Jefferson (k-3), Garfield (k-6) and a middle school, Washington School (7 and 8). Washington Middle School boasts many extra curricular activities, including sports, builder's club and student council. There is also one parochial school, Sacred Heart (pre K-8).
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Custer County
Custer County, Montana
-Economy:The main source of income for Custer County has largely come from cattle ranching and dryland farming. Miles City serves as the center of commerce in an area extending for 100 miles in every direction...
, 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...
. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.
History
After the Battle of the Little BighornBattle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
in 1876, the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
created forts in eastern Montana, including one where the north-flowing Tongue River
Tongue River (Montana)
The Tongue River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, approximately 265 mi long, in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. The Tongue rises in Wyoming in the Big Horn Mountains, flows through northern Wyoming and southeastern Montana and empties into the Yellowstone River at Miles City,...
flowed into the east-flowing Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of the Yellowstone National...
. The first fort was known as the Tongue River Cantonment or the Tongue River Barracks and was founded on August 27, 1876. A second, permanent fort was constructed on higher ground two miles to the west of the mouth of the Tongue and this became Fort Keogh.
Fort Keogh (named after Captain Myles Keogh,one of the battle dead, whose horse, Comanche, was the lone survivor of Custer's command.) started as a few rough winter cabins, but grew into a moderate sized western fort, from which its commander, General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
, effectively brought the remaining "uncontrolled" Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
into subjugation during the last decade of the 1800s.
Nelson Miles said that "whiskey caused him more trouble than the Indians" and, after tiring of drunken soldiers causing problems during the winter campaign, evicted the sutlers who provided "liquid stock" in the spring of 1877. Moving two miles due east of the Tongue River Cantonment, these early merchants founded the first Miles City. Although fondly referred to as "Milestown," the first post office and first official plat both called the town "Miles City." When the old cantonment moved two miles west, the town literally picked up and followed, moving to the current site. The last occupants of Old Miles City stayed on until 1900 but the new community was the one that grew.
Before the town itself was founded, George Miles, the nephew of General Miles, who has accompanied his uncle on the western expedition and served in the quartermasters office, bought a herd of sheep.
Livestock speculation brought thousands of cattle to the open ranges in the late 1880s, the railroad was extended through the area, and Texas drove numerous cattle to Miles City to fatten them on free grass and move them to where they could be loaded on trains bound for the slaughterhouses in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
Miles City established a municipal electric utility around 1887 and it was a source of civic pride (as any city would have towards its own utilities) until a traveling employee of Minnesota Northern Power (predecessor of MDU Resources Group, Inc.
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
MDU Resources Group is a U.S. diversified energy company, with electric and natural gas utility distribution operations in North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Washington, and Oregon.-Background:...
) told the city council "the emperor has no clothes;" i.e., the system was far less efficient and in worse shape than they thought. The city council eventually put the question to the voters who instructed the city to sell the utility. By this time, the people with the Montana Power Company (now NorthWestern Energy's Montana division) became aware of this and were soon locked in an epic battle with Minnesota Northern over the franchise. A franchise election was held to determine who would serve Miles City on June 28, 1927. Minnesota Northern won by a scant 16 votes.
Miles City experienced rapid growth until the 1920s and 1930s, but became overshadowed by the upstart upriver town of 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...
, which became an oil refining center and is now the largest city in the state.
The publicly-owned Miles City Municipal Airport
Miles City Municipal Airport
Miles City Airport or Frank Wiley Field is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Miles City, in Custer County, Montana, United States. This airport is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for...
is located less than two miles (3 km) from town. Notably, it was the site of an early scheduled airline crash, involving Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
Flight 1
Northwest Airlines Flight 1
Northwest Airlines Flight 1, registration NC17389, was a Lockheed 14H Super Electra aircraft which crashed approximately ½ mile southwest of the Miles City, Montana, airport on January 13, 1939...
, which caught fire and crashed shortly after takeoff in January, 1939.
Geography
Miles City is located at 46°24′30"N 105°50′24"W (46.408460, -105.840093), at an altitude of 2369 feet (722 m).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 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all of it land.
Miles City experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
BSk) with long, cold, dry winters and hot, wetter summers.
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 8,487 people, 3,528 households, and 2,194 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 2,593.3 people per square mile (1,002.1/km²). There were 3,890 housing units at an average density of 1,188.7 per square mile (459.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.72% White, 0.12% African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.44% 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 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 3,528 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% 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, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,847, and the median income for a family was $41,190. Males had a median income of $30,123 versus $18,750 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 $16,449. About 9.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Radio stations
- KATLKATL (AM)KATL is a radio station licensed to serve Miles City, Montana. The station is owned by Star Printing Company, and managed by Don Richard. It airs an Adult Contemporary music format, as well as local and state news, local sports, and several other programs.Miles City is known as the "Cow Capitol of...
(AM 770) - Adult Contemporary - KMTAKMTAKMTA is a radio station licensed to serve Miles City, Montana. The station is owned by Marks Radio Group, and licensed to Custer County Community Broadcasting. It airs an Oldies format....
(AM 1050) - OldiesOldiesOldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day.... - KIKCKIKC (AM)KIKC is a radio station broadcasting a classic country format. Licensed to Forsyth, Montana, USA, the station is currently owned by the Marks Radio Group.-External links:*...
(AM 1250) - OldiesOldiesOldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
- KYPRKYPRKYPR is a radio station licensed to Miles City, Montana. The station is owned by Montana State University-Billings, and is an affiliate of Yellowstone Public Radio, originating from KEMC in Billings, Montana.-External links:*...
(FM 90.7) - NPR station - KYUS-FMKYUS-FMKYUS-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Miles City, Montana. The station is owned by Marks Radio Group and the broadcast license is held by Custer County Community Broadcasting. It airs an Adult Hits music format....
(92.3 FM) - Adult HitsAdult hitsAdult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist... - KIKC-FMKIKC-FMKIKC-FM is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Forsyth, Montana, USA, the station is currently owned by the Marks Radio Group.-History:...
(101.3 FM) - Country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
Events
The largest event of the year is the Miles City Bucking Horse SaleMiles City Bucking Horse Sale
The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is a major auction of rodeo stock held the third weekend every May in Miles City, Montana and the premier social event for the community...
held in May. Miles City is also home to the Eastern Montana Fair and is the commercial hub of southeastern Montana. The sale is generally held regardless of weather.
Education
Miles Community CollegeMiles Community College
Miles Community College is a community college in Miles City, Montana.- History :The College was founded in 1939. For almost 20 years it operated out of a few rooms in the local public high school...
http://milescc.edu/ was founded in 1939. The current average student to faculty ratio is 11:1; class sizes range from 8 to 50 students; and over 85% of the students qualify for financial aid. Miles Community College also features free tutoring at the Center for Academic Success. The Judson H. Flower, Jr. Library is located within the main building of Miles Community College, and is equipped with computer lab and INFOTRAC.
Custer County District High School is the only high school in the entire county; some students drive as many as 60 miles (96.6 km) to school. Much of the population's livelihood involves agriculture - entirely or in part; therefore, the National FFA Organization
National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education...
(Future Farmers of America) organization is very active and about 20% of the student population belong to it. The school is famous for its Chorale, which travels extensively including a trip to Carnegie Hall in NYC in 2005 and a trip to Washington D.C. in 2007. The school boasts that its seniors have an average ACT score of 23 and that 57% of the graduating seniors go on to complete their education at a 4 year university.
Miles City also has 4 elementary schools, Lincoln (4-6), Highland Park (k-3), Jefferson (k-3), Garfield (k-6) and a middle school, Washington School (7 and 8). Washington Middle School boasts many extra curricular activities, including sports, builder's club and student council. There is also one parochial school, Sacred Heart (pre K-8).
Climate
Notable natives and residents
- Merle Greene RobertsonMerle Greene RobertsonMerle Greene Robertson was an American artist, art historian, archaeologist, lecturer and Mayanist researcher, renowned for her extensive work towards the investigation and preservation of the art, iconography and writing of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization of Central America.-Early...
born in Miles City in 1913, a noted art historian and renowned scholar of the pre-Columbian Maya civilizationMaya civilizationThe Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
. - Walter A. BurleighWalter A. BurleighWalter Atwood Burleigh was an American physician, lawyer, and pioneer. He represented the Dakota Territory as a non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives....
, non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the Dakota Territory - Maurice HillemanMaurice HillemanMaurice Ralph Hilleman was an American microbiologist who specialized in vaccinology and developed over three dozen vaccines, more than any other scientist...
, a noted microbiologistMicrobiologistA microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
, was born near Miles City in 1919. Hilleman specialized in vaccinology and developed more than three dozen vaccines, including those for measlesMeaslesMeasles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
, mumpsMumpsMumps is a viral disease of the human species, caused by the mumps virus. Before the development of vaccination and the introduction of a vaccine, it was a common childhood disease worldwide...
, hepatitis AHepatitis AHepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus , an RNA virus, usually spread the fecal-oral route; transmitted person-to-person by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infectious person...
, hepatitis B, chickenpoxChickenpoxChickenpox or chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus . It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring...
, meningitisMeningitisMeningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
, and pneumoniaPneumoniaPneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. - George LynchGeorge Lynch (race car driver)George John Lynch, Sr. was an American race car driver.George John Lynch was born in Miles City, Montana to John James Lynch and Violet Parks. Enduring a rough childhood that saw his parents divorce, he was reared by his mother's grandparents in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, where Mr...
, race car driver, was born here. - Curt SchmidtCurt SchmidtCurtis Allen Schmidt played one year of Major League Baseball in for the Montreal Expos. In his 11 games, he pitched 10 and one third innings, allowing 15 hits and 8 runs.-External links:...
, Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, was born here. - James Arnold von der HeydtJames Arnold von der HeydtJames Arnold von der Heydt is an American lawyer and judge. He is currently a member of the United States District Court for the District of Alaska....
, born in 1919 is an American lawyer and judge. He is currently a member of the United States District Court for the District of AlaskaUnited States District Court for the District of AlaskaThe United States District Court for the District of Alaska is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Alaska. Offices are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Nome...
. - George WinstonGeorge WinstonGeorge Winston is an American pianist who was born in Michigan, and grew up mainly in Miles City, Montana as well as Mississippi and Florida. He attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and lives in Santa Cruz, California.-Background:...
, noted American pianist, grew up in Miles City and studied piano at a local conservatory - Larry R. WilliamsLarry R. WilliamsLarry Richard Williams is an American author and commodity trader from the state of Montana. He is the father of Academy Award-nominated actress Michelle Williams.-Early life:...
, World famous commodity trader, author and father of Academy Nominee actress, Michelle WilliamsMichelle Williams (actress)Michelle Ingrid Williams is an American actress. After starting her career with television guest appearances in the early 1990s, Williams achieved recognition for her role as Jen Lindley on the WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek, which she played from 1998 to 2003...
, was born in Miles City.