Granite County, Montana 1921
Like most of the counties of Montana
first opened up through the mining industry Granite County has
had a longer political existence than the majority of those
devoted chiefly to agriculture. It was created March 2, 1893,
and has an area of 1,728 square miles; yet it is not thickly
settled, its population, according to the recent census, being
4,167.
Granite County is situated in the
middle western part of the state, with the Continental Divide
crossing its southeastern border, its western boundary line
being marked by a spur of the Rocky Mountains. The high
mountains in the southern end of the county give rise to two
considerable streams, Rock Creek and Flint Creek, which, fed by
numerous small tributaries, empty into the Hell Gate River, a
stream running westerly through the northern end of the county.
The valleys of these three principal streams are protected by
high mountains and favored with a rich and deep alluvial soil,
which places them among the most fertile parts of the state. The
abundant supply of water affords admirable opportunities for
irrigation, which is widely practiced throughout the farming
districts of the county. Improved irrigated land brings from $50
to $100 an acre, unimproved irrigated land from $20 to $40, and
unimproved non-irrigated land from $10 to $20 an acre. Wheat,
oats, barley, flax, vegetables, alfalfa, timothy and clover are
the principal crops.
Though agriculture, stock raising and
dairying have made considerable progress within recent years,
mining was the industry to which the county owes its start, and
which is still in full and successful operation, the most
important mineral products being silver and manganese. Gold,
lead and zinc have been produced in lesser quantities. The
Granite Bi-metallic Mine at Philipsburg is credited with a
production of over fifty million dollars to date, chiefly of
silver. A large amount of manganese was mined during the war.
Lignite coal has been found in Granite County and large
phosphate beds have also been discovered, but the commercial
value of the latter product has not yet been ascertained. The
West Park district is specially noted for a large deposit of
sapphires, larger, it is claimed, than even the famous source of
supply of that gem in Burmah. Another source of wealth in
Granite County is its large area of commercial timber. Some of
this is under private ownership, but 677,236 acres are contained
in the Missoula National Forest and 54,760 acres in the Deer
Lodge National Forest. Hunting and fishing are tourist
attractions which may be found to perfection in many parts of
the county.
Granite county is crossed in its
northern part by two great railways, the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul and the Northern Pacific, the latter of which has a
branch line running southerly from Drummond on the main line to
Philipsburg. A highway has also been projected which will cross
the county westerly from Anaconda to Hamilton in the Bitter Root
Valley.
Philipsburg
Philipsburg, the county seat and
principal town, is, as already intimated, the terminus of a
branch line of the Northern Pacific. It enjoys a commanding
position on a terrace of Flint Creek Valley and has a population
of about fifteen hundred. Its altitude is 5,175 feet. Among its
advantages are a good system of public utilities, including
drainage, waterworks and electric lights. Its court house,
business blocks and residences are well constructed and
attractive, and its two banks can boast aggregate deposits of
over one million dollars. Here also is the county high school,
with an accredited four years course and additional courses in
agriculture and teachers' training. Drummond, at the other end
of the branch line, where it connects with the main tracks of
the Northern Pacific, is the trading center for the northern
part of the county. Among its local institutions are a
newspaper, and a high school accredited for the two years
course. It has a number of good stores representing the most
important branches of mercantile enterprise, and has recently
advanced to the dignity of a manufacturing town by the erection
of a large saw mill with up to date equipment.
The town of Hall is located in the
Flint Creek Valley, in the center of a populous farming section,
and but a short distance from lignite coal mines. It enjoys a
growing trade from the surrounding district.
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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