East Helena, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Helena, Montana
|
|
|---|---|
Location of East Helena, Montana
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lewis and Clark |
| Area | |
| • City | 4.12 sq mi (10.67 km2) |
| • Land | 4.05 sq mi (10.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,891 ft (1,186 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • City | 1,944 |
| • Density | 479.53/sq mi (185.14/km2) |
| • Metro | 83,058 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59635
|
| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-23125 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412460 |
East Helena is a city located in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, in the United States. It's about 5 miles (8 km) east of downtown Helena. In 2020, about 1,944 people lived there. East Helena is part of the larger Helena area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties. This wider area has a population of 83,058 people.
Contents
History of East Helena
In 1864, gold was found in a small valley near Prickly Pear Creek. This discovery led to the creation of a mining camp called "Last Chance Gulch." Later, in 1876, the Drumlummon Mine opened. This mine produced a lot of gold and silver, worth millions of dollars.
In 1888, a large factory called the Helena & Livingston Smelting & Reduction Company's smelter was built. A smelter is a place where metal ores are heated to separate the pure metal. Many workers and their families moved to the area because of this factory. The settlement officially became the town of East Helena in 1889.
The smelter plant worked from 1888 until 2001. It processed silver-lead ore. From 1927 to 1972, the Anaconda Company also had a plant there that recovered zinc.
In 1984, East Helena was named a Superfund Cleanup Site by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This happened because the metal smelting process had left behind heavy metals, arsenic, and other harmful chemicals in the soil and water. Cleanup efforts have been ongoing to make the area safer.
Geography and Nature
East Helena covers about 4.12 square miles (10.67 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The city is located in the Helena Valley, which is an area shaped by the Missouri River. To the east, you can see the Big Belt Mountains. The Elkhorn Mountains and Boulder Hills are to the south.
Many beautiful wilderness and recreation spots are close to East Helena. Canyon Ferry Lake, about 13 miles (21 km) east, is Montana's third largest body of water. The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, 28 miles (45 km) north, is part of the Helena National Forest.
Other nearby lakes include Lake Helena, 9 miles (14 km) north, and Hauser Lake, 10 miles (16 km) north-east. Spring Meadow Lake State Park, 9 miles (14 km) east, has a lake fed by natural springs.
Climate
East Helena has a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry, but not a desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,039 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,143 | 10.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,216 | 6.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,490 | 22.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,651 | 10.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,647 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,538 | −6.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,642 | 6.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,984 | 20.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,944 | −2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of East Helena has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 1,984 people living in the city. There were 875 households, which are groups of people living together in one home.
About 29% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average age of people in the city was about 36 years old.
Arts and Culture
East Helena is famous for its annual Independence Day celebration. This event has been a tradition for the greater Helena area since 1957.
The East Helena Rodeo Association has celebrated over 60 years of exciting rodeo competitions. The local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars helped create the rodeo grounds and put on the very first rodeo.
East Helena also has a public library. It is a branch of the Lewis & Clark Library system.
Education
East Helena Public Schools is the school district for the community. It teaches students from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. In the 2021–2022 school year, the district had a total of 1,739 students.
There are five public schools in East Helena:
- Eastgate Elementary School: For pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.
- Prickly Pear Elementary School: For 1st and 2nd grade students.
- Radley Elementary School: For 3rd through 5th grade students.
- East Valley Middle School: For 6th through 8th grade students.
- East Helena High School: For 9th through 12th grade students.
Media
The local newspaper that covers news for East Helena is the Independent Record. This newspaper is based in Helena.
Three radio stations are licensed in East Helena:
- KGLZ: Part of Yellowstone Public Radio.
- KJPZ: Broadcasts Christian programs.
- KKGR: Plays classic hit music.
Infrastructure
US Route 12 and Montana Highway 287 run through East Helena from east to west. Most of the town is located north of this highway. Highway 282 also leaves town towards the south.
For air travel, East Helena is served by the Helena Regional Airport.
See also
In Spanish: East Helena (Montana) para niños
