Emigrant, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emigrant, Montana
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Countryside near Emigrant
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 Emigrant, Montana
Location in Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Park |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.02 sq mi (28.55 km2) |
| • Land | 10.77 sq mi (27.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,882 ft (1,488 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 465 |
| • Density | 43.17/sq mi (16.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes |
59027
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| FIPS code | 30-24325 |
Emigrant is a small, unincorporated community in Park County, Montana, United States. This means it's a town that doesn't have its own local government. In 2020, about 465 people lived there.
Emigrant is located in southern Montana, right by the Yellowstone River. It's about 30 miles (48 km) north of Yellowstone National Park and 20 miles (32 km) south of Livingston. The community is a popular spot for visitors because of its beautiful natural surroundings.
Contents
Exploring Emigrant's Location
Emigrant is located at an elevation of 4,882 feet (1,488 meters) above sea level. This community is nestled between two large mountain ranges: the Absaroka Range and the Gallatin Range. It sits in a beautiful area known as Paradise Valley.
Just a few miles west of Emigrant, you can find Emigrant Peak. This peak is very tall, reaching an elevation of 10,915 feet (3,327 meters). Emigrant is also a crossroads, meaning it's a central point to reach other places. For example, it's just a few miles from the famous Chico Hot Springs Resort.
The town mostly relies on tourism. Many of its shops and services are open all year round to welcome visitors.
Emigrant's Past: A Look Back
Emigrant is very close to where an old town called Yellowstone City used to be. Yellowstone City was started in 1863, but it was later abandoned. Another town, Chico, sometimes called "Old Chico," took its place a few miles south.
The Emigrant we know today started as a stop for trains. These trains helped move goods from mining and farming activities in the area. Even though the railroad eventually left, Emigrant didn't shrink like some other small towns. This was because it could attract tourists. Many of the buildings in Emigrant now are newer and well-kept, designed to look like an "old western" town.
Early Gold Rush Days
In August 1864, three travelers came to Montana on the Bozeman Trail. They found other miners already working in the creek. The new arrivals decided to look for gold further up a rugged valley called Emigrant Gulch. They found gold high up on the side of Emigrant Peak. This discovery caused many people to rush to the area. Hundreds of miners and a few women came to this remote spot, which was in Crow Indian territory.
The miners worked hard for several weeks. They found some gold, but the cold weather soon forced them to move down to Yellowstone City. This settlement had about fifty simple log cabins with dirt roofs and floors made of elk hides. During that winter, supplies were scarce. Flour was hard to find, and tobacco cost a lot of money – about $300 a pound! The only thing that was easy to get was deer meat, which they ate for every meal.
By 1866, Yellowstone City was abandoned. This happened because of conflicts with the local Native American tribes and because there wasn't as much gold left. Today, nothing remains of that old town. Even though the gold strike in Emigrant Gulch wasn't huge, many pioneers found enough gold to make their hard work worthwhile.
Emigrant first had a post office in 1872, but it only stayed open for four years. It was reopened in 1911.
Amazing Wildlife and Nature
Because Emigrant is located right by the Yellowstone River, it's a very popular place for fly fishing. The area is also home to many different animals. You might see creatures like the American badger, black-billed magpie, deer, elk, coyotes, and foxes. Sometimes, wolves and black bears are also spotted here.
From Emigrant, it's only a short distance to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and the Gallatin National Forest. Being so close to these national forests, wilderness areas, Yellowstone National Park, and the Yellowstone River makes Emigrant a perfect spot for people who love the outdoors.
Emigrant in Movies
Emigrant has been a filming location for some famous movies! Parts of the film A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer were filmed right here in Emigrant.
See also
In Spanish: Emigrant (Montana) para niños
