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Florence, Montana
US FSA aerial photograph of Florence in 2005
US FSA aerial photograph of Florence in 2005
Location of Florence, Montana
Location of Florence, Montana
Country United States
State Montana
County Ravalli
Area
 • Total 0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2)
 • Land 0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
3,265 ft (995 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 821
 • Density 1,069.01/sq mi (412.74/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59833
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-26950
GNIS feature ID 0783551
USGS - NHAP - Florence, MT 1982 - Color Infrared
USGS aerial photograph of Florence in 1982

Florence (Salish: čp̓úƛ̓us) is a small community in Ravalli County, Montana. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for gathering information. The northern edge of Florence is marked by County Line Road, which separates it from Missoula County, Montana. In 2020, about 821 people lived here.

History of Florence

How Florence Got Its Name

Florence was named after Florence Abbott Hammond. She was the wife of a very important person named Andrew B. Hammond. He was a "lumber baron," which means he owned a lot of forests and businesses that cut down trees to make wood products.

The Railway's Big Role

Mr. Hammond played a key part in bringing a branch of the Northern Pacific Railway to the Bitterroot Valley. This railway was super important! It helped the lumber industry grow a lot. It also helped farmers send their apples to other places in the 1910s.

Geography and Nature

Where is Florence Located?

Florence is nestled between two mountain ranges: the Sapphire and the Bitterroot Mountains. The Bitterroot River flows to the east of the community.

Wildlife and Open Spaces

About 15 miles (24 km) east of Florence is the Threemile Wildlife Management Area. This special place helps protect animals during the winter. You can find large animals like elk and deer there.

Size of the Area

According to the United States Census Bureau, Florence covers an area of about 2.0 square kilometers (0.77 square miles). All of this area is land.

People of Florence

Population Numbers

In 2020, the population of Florence was 821 people. This makes it a small, close-knit community.

Fun Things to Do

Fishing in the Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot River is famous for its excellent fishing. It's known as a "Blue Ribbon fishery," which means it's one of the best places to fish. People especially love to go fly fishing here. You can catch native fish like westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.

Exploring Threemile Wildlife Area

The Threemile Wildlife Management Area is a great spot for seeing wildlife and hunting. You might spot animals like bobcats, elk, and mule deer. Many different types of raptors (birds of prey) also live there.

Education in Florence

Schools for All Ages

The Florence-Carlton School District serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. In the 2021-2022 school year, about 813 students were enrolled.

High School Sports

The sports teams at Florence-Carlton High School are called the Falcons.

Local Media

Radio Station

Florence is home to an FM radio station called KDTR. It plays a type of music known as "adult alternative."

Getting Around

Main Roads

US Route 93 is a major highway that runs through Florence. It goes from north to south.

Nearest Airport

If you need to fly, the closest commercial airport is Missoula Montana Airport. It's about 23 miles (37 km) north of Florence.

Famous People from Florence

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Florence (Montana) para niños

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