Charlo, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlo, Montana
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Location of Charlo, Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lake |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.00 sq mi (5.19 km2) |
| • Land | 1.99 sq mi (5.16 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,936 ft (895 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 385 |
| • Density | 193.37/sq mi (74.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59824
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-13900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0769768 |
Charlo is a small community in Lake County, Montana, in the United States. It's known as a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's a community that the government counts for population, even though it's not officially a city or town. In 2020, about 385 people lived there.
The town was named in 1918 after Chief Charlo, an important leader of the Salish people. Before that, it had other names like Big Flat, Charlotte, and Tabor. In the Salish language, Charlo is called sallu.
Contents
Exploring Charlo's Location and Nature
Charlo is located in the southern part of Lake County. It is about 22 miles (35 km) south of Polson, which is the main town of the county. This community is also part of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Wildlife and Protected Areas
Charlo is surrounded by beautiful natural areas. These include the Herak Waterfowl Production Area and Ninepipes Reservoir. These places, along with seasonal flood irrigation, create great homes for many animals. You might see white-tailed deer, pheasants, majestic bald eagles, and western painted turtles here.
The Owl Research Institute is based in Charlo. This group studies different types of owls. There are also two special platforms near the lake for Osprey nests. You can even watch these birds live on a special camera!
Southwest of Charlo, you'll find the CSKT Bison Range. This is a protected area for bison, managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Community Life and Events
Charlo has a strong community spirit, with several fun events each year.
Annual Town Celebrations
Every year, the people of Charlo celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade and a cookout. The parade goes down Main Street. You can see local horse riders, former students from Charlo schools, military members, and the local fire department.
The town also holds an annual Fireman's Benefit and Dinner. This event helps support the local volunteer fire department.
Fun Runs for a Good Cause
The Charlo Outdoor Community Complex is a group that helps raise money for a new track and football field at the Charlo Public School. They host an annual Fun run, which includes a 5K run and a 10K run. It's a great way to get active and support the school!
Education in Charlo
The Charlo School District provides education for students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school teams are known as the Vikings. Charlo High School is a Class C school, which is a special category for sports events.
In 2023, the Charlo School District had 229 students. This included 96 elementary students, 57 middle school students, and 76 high school students. Besides regular classes, Charlo School District offers many different elective courses.
Student Clubs and Activities
Charlo High School offers several exciting clubs for students. These include:
- Business Professionals of America (BPA)
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
- SkillsUSA
- National Honor Society (NHS)
And many more!
News and Media
The Valley Journal is a local newspaper that shares news for Charlo and nearby communities like Arlee, Pablo, Polson, Ronan, and St. Ignatius.
Charlo also has its own FM radio station, KYMI. This station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation, which is a Christian media organization.
Getting Around Charlo
Charlo is located along Montana Highway 212. It is about 4 miles (6 km) west of U.S. Route 93, a major highway. If you take Highway 212, it's about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Dixon.
For air travel, the closest commercial airport is Missoula Montana Airport, which is about 50 miles (80 km) away. Another option is Glacier Park International Airport, located about 78 miles (126 km) from Charlo.
Images for kids
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A view of Charlo, Montana
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Map showing Charlo's location in Lake County, Montana
See also
In Spanish: Charlo (Montana) para niños
