Neihart is a town in Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 43 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Great Falls, Montana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

The town has a total area of , all land. Its elevation is . Snow removal crews work throughout the winter to keep the road open. It is the only town between Monarch to the north and White Sulphur Springs to the south. Just south of Neihart, Route 89 begins to follow Sawmill Creek. Gold, lead, sapphires, silver, and zinc have all been discovered and mined in the area. Amethyst and marine fossils are common in the area. Pinto diorite, a red-and-green spotted diorite, is found in large quantities in the area.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Neihart has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

History

thumb|right|Old building in Neihart

On October 20, 1879, E.A. "Buck" Barker and Patrick Hughes, two prospectors, discovered silver ore on Galena Creek in the Little Belt Mountains. The mining towns of Barker, Galena Creek, and Hughesville soon sprang up in the area. In July 1881, three prospectors from Barker—James LeRoy Neihart, John O'Brien, and Richard Harley—discovered silver near the present-day town of Neihart When the news reached Barker, several parties of prospectors headed for the area and established a new mining camp on Belt Creek named Canyon City. By this time, the town featured a blacksmith's shop, a boarding house, restaurants, two saloons, and stables. The M and I, Rochester, and Silver Dyke mines also opened near Neihart. In 1887, these early mines largely shut down, as most of the richest and easily accessible veins of ore had been exhausted. among them being Wu Tang's former laundry and drug store. of 2010, there were 51 people, 32 households, and 17 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 170 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 92.2% White, 3.9% Native American, and 3.9% from two or more races.

There were 32 households, of which 3.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, and 46.9% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 31.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.59 and the average family size was 2.06.

The median age in the town was 68.2 years. 2% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 5.9% were from 25 to 44; 31.4% were from 45 to 64; and 56.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 54.9% male and 45.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 91 people, 44 households, and 27 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 164 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.41% White, 1.10% Native American, 1.10% from other races, and 4.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 44 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 2.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.36.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 31.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 152.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 167.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,458, and the median income for a family was $25,625. Males had a median income of $11,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,266. There were 20.7% of families and 21.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 20.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Government

Royal Westervelt, the incumbent mayor, was unopposed in 2025.

References

Bibliography

  • Aarstad, Rich; Arguimbau, Ellen; Baumler, Ellen; Porsild, Charlene L.; and Shovers, Brian. Montana Place Names From Alzada to Zortman. Helena, Mont.: Montana Historical Society Press, 2009.
  • Federal Writers' Project. Montana: A State Guide Book. New York: Hastings House, 1939.
  • Miller, Donald C. Ghost Towns of Montana: A Classic Tour Through the Treasure State's Historic Sites. Guilford, Conn.: Two Dot, 2008.
  • Enzel, Robert G. The White Book of Ski Areas. Washington, D.C.: Inter-Ski Services, 1998.
  • Fifer, Barbara. Montana Mining Ghost Towns. Helena, Mont.: Farcountry Press, 2002.
  • Rankama, Kalervo. The Geologic Systems: The Precambrian. New York: Interscience Publishers, 1963.
  • Soderberg, Vicky and Soderberg, Ken. The Best in Tent Camping: Montana. Birmingham, Ala.: Menasha Ridge Press, 2005.
  • Weed, Walter Harvey. Geology of the Little Belt Mountains, Montana, With Notes on the Mineral Deposits of the Neihart, Barker, Yogo, and Other Districts. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1900.