Broadwater County, Montana 1921
One of the smaller counties in size,
but not in importance, in Montana, is that which bears the
suggestive name of Broadwater, this doubtless having been
derived from the Missouri River, the largest stream of the
county, which enters in the southeast end and pursues an
irregular course northeasterly into Lewis and Clark counties.
While the land area of Broadwater is only 1,248 square miles,
the county, which lies in the west central part of the state, is
one of the richest agricultural sections of Montana, and within
its borders are raised cattle, sheep and hogs of prize-winning
quality. Bounded by Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Jefferson and
Gallatin counties, the county is so situated that it offers
opportunities in several fields of industry. The crest of the
Big Belt range of mountains marks the eastern border and the
Elkhorn range is found on the western side. Here, in the upland
mountain country, are found numerous springs and abundant feed,
and during the summer month's large herds of sheep, cattle and
horses are pastured. Between these two ranges flows the Missouri
River, the valley of which is rich and fertile, and between the
mountains and the valley are benches. The soil in the valleys is
a black loam and on the benches a clay loam. In addition the
Crow Creek Valley furnishes fertile lands for agriculture, and
Crow Creek, Dry Creek, Deep Creek, Grayson Creek, Ray Creek,
Gurnett Creek, Duck Creek, Confederate Creek and Indian Creek
serve to furnish water for irrigation purposes and are used on
the farm lands in the valleys and upper bench lands.
In the lower regions of the county
there are found large tracts of irrigated land, where crops of
hay, grains and other feeds are grown. The upper bench lands are
devoted in the main to dry farming, principally wheat and
barley. In addition, dairying is rapidly becoming an important
industry and the county possesses one of the best equipped and
most modern creameries in the state, as well as an up-to-date
flour mill. The mining industry is also a leading one and gold,
silver and lead are taken in large quantities from the mines at
Radersburg, the Iron Mask and Silver King mines near Townsend,
and the Diamond mines, near Diamond. In the mountainous region,
pine, fir and cedar timber- are found, and there is an abundant
growth of cottonwood along the numerous streams.
Broadwater County has two
transcontinental railways, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
Railway crossing its southern end, while the Northern Pacific
runs east and west across the county. Likewise good service is
securable through interurban lines which connect various points,
and the Park-to-Park and Montana Electric highways run in an
east and west direction across the county. To tourists the
county offers some of the most beautiful scenery to be found in
the state, the trip down the Deep Creek Canyon being an
exceptionally attractive one. Convenient camping sites are to be
found on all the leading creeks heretofore mentioned, where good
hunting and fishing may be had.
A number of enterprising communities
serve to act as trading centers for this rich agricultural
county, among the leaders being Toston, Winston, Lombard,
Canton, Diamond, Radersburg and Townsend. The last three-named
are also mining centers of some importance, while Townsend is
also the county seat and a growing and prosperous little city.
The county high school and graded school are located at
Townsend, the other fifty-two schools of the county being of a
rural nature.
Montana Counties 1921
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Montana AHGP

Source: Montana its Story and Biography,
by Tom Strout, Volume 1, The American Historical Society, 1921
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