Eureka was founded in the early 1880s as settlers moved north from Missoula and south from Canada and was originally known as Deweyville.[5] It was one of the last areas to be developed in Montana in frontier times, and logging was a major draw and source of income for decades. Eureka was once known as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World," with evergreens shipped to many urban points for holiday sales.
The Canadian fur-trapper and explorer David Thompson visited the area in the early 19th Century during his searches for a route to the Pacific Ocean. Early explorers, finding Indians there growing a native strain of tobacco, named it the Tobacco Plains. In the late 1970s, Eurekans began a "Tobacco Valley Rendezvous" every year in April to commemorate Thompson's visit.
President Harry S. Truman gave a speech in Eureka on October 1, 1952 as part of a whistle-stop tour in support of Adlai Stevenson's ultimately unsuccessful presidential campaign.[6]
Geography
Eureka is located on the Tobacco River in an area known as the Tobacco Valley in the United States and as the Tobacco Plains in British Columbia to the north.
It is approximately 66 miles (106 km) from Kalispell. The Tobacco River flows through the western part of town.
Eureka experiences a mild microclimate, notably warmer than the nearby cities of Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana as well as Invermere and Fernie, British Columbia. Summer afternoons are hot and sunny with low humidity while winters are often cloudy but lack the extreme temperatures found nearby.[8]
Climate data for Eureka, Montana (Eureka Ranger Station), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 1,037 people, 442 households, and 261 families living in the town. The population density was 1,026.7 inhabitants per square mile (396.4/km2). There were 495 housing units at an average density of 490.1 per square mile (189.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.8% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.
There were 442 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.0% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.92.
The median age in the town was 43.3 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 23.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.4% male and 54.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 1,017 people, 431 households, and 252 families living in the town. The population density was 1,008.6 inhabitants per square mile (389.4/km2). There were 494 housing units at an average density of 489.9 per square mile (189.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.76% White, 1.28% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 431 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 35.7% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,120, and the median income for a family was $30,268. Males had a median income of $31,731 versus $18,214 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,619. About 19.5% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Farmers and Merchants State Bank
This stunningly scenic area has many opportunities for outdoor activities. The Pacific Northwest Trail, a 1,200 mile hiking trail from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, passes through Eureka. Ten Lakes Scenic Area is located approximately 45 minutes from town. These 14,945 acres have been set aside for backcountry use.[14] Just to the west is Lake Koocanusa, a large reservoir used for every type of water recreation.
Every April Eureka has the large Rendezvous Days celebration. This fun event includes bed races and black powder events.[15] Shakespeare in the Park performs every summer. Also in the summer is The Bull Thing, a Professional Bull Riders event.[16] Eureka hosts the Lincoln County Fair which has carnival rides, rodeos, and local booths.
The town has a public library, a branch of the Lincoln County Public Libraries.[18]
Government
Eureka has a Mayor-Council form of government. There are four council members and a mayor. In 2023 the town's mayor was LeeAnn Schermerhorn.[19]
Education
Eureka Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.[20] They are known as the Lions. The elementary school, pre-kindergarten through 4th grade, had 237 students enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year.[21] Middle school, 5th to 8th grade, had 238 students.[22]
Lincoln County High School is a Class B high school,[23] a designation which helps determine athletic competitions. For the 2021-2022 school year, 293 students were enrolled in the school.[24]
Media
The Tobacco Valley News is a weekly newspaper available either by print or e-edition.[25]
Three radio stations are licensed in the town. KEUK is part of the Montana Public Radio network.[26]KEUR-LP[27] is a religious channel. KZXT is a local station airing an adult contemporary format[28]
Eureka Airport is a public use airport located 5 miles north of town.[29] The nearest commercial airport is Glacier Park International Airport, 62 miles (100 km) south.
