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Frenchtown, Montana
Frenchtown Montana near F.jpg
Location in Missoula County and the state of Montana
Location in Missoula County and the state of Montana
Country United States
State Montana
County Missoula
Area
 • Total 6.78 sq mi (17.55 km2)
 • Land 6.74 sq mi (17.45 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
3,045 ft (928 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,958
 • Density 290.68/sq mi (112.23/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59834
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-29350
GNIS feature ID 0783746

Frenchtown is a small community in Missoula County, Montana, in the United States. It's a "census-designated place," which means it's a special area the government counts for population, even though it's not officially a city. Frenchtown is part of the larger Missoula area. In 2020, about 1,958 people lived there.

Frenchtown's Early Days

Frenchtown Montana Center
A grocery store and post office in Frenchtown.

Frenchtown got its name from its first settlers, who were mostly French Canadians. These early families moved to the area around 1858. They were looking for a peaceful place to live.

Two French Canadians, Jean-Baptiste Ducharme and Louis Brown, helped start the settlement. Jean-Baptiste Ducharme came from the Puget Sound area. Louis Brown, whose family name was anglicized, moved from the Colville Valley with his Pend d'Oreille wife and their daughters.

A Jesuit priest, Father Hoecken, also moved nearby with the Kalispel Indian Community. He helped set up the Saint-Ignatius mission. The St. Louis Catholic Church was built in Frenchtown in 1864. A post office opened in 1868, making it easier for people to send mail.

Exploring Frenchtown's Geography

Frenchtown is located in the northwestern part of Missoula County. It sits along the old Mullan Road, a historic route. Today, Interstate 90 runs through the community. You can get to Frenchtown from Exit 89 on I-90.

Interstate 90 connects Frenchtown to other towns. It goes southeast about 16 miles (26 km) to Missoula. It also goes northwest about 42 miles (68 km) to Superior.

Frenchtown Pond State Park

Frenchtown Pond State Park is a popular spot in the western part of Frenchtown. It has an 18-acre (7.3 ha) pond. This pond is great for swimming and paddling sports like kayaking. You can also fish there all year round for bass, perch, and trout.

Rivers and Mountains

South of Frenchtown, you'll find the Clark Fork River. Beyond the river are the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains. These mountains offer beautiful views.

Frenchtown covers about 6.78 square miles (17.55 km2) of land. A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), is water. Several creeks flow through the area. Mill Creek runs through the center of Frenchtown. Roman Creek and Houle Creek cross the western part. All these creeks flow into the Clark Fork River.

Who Lives in Frenchtown?

Historical population
Census Pop.
2000 883
2010 1,825 106.7%
2020 1,958 7.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 1,825 people living in Frenchtown. The community has grown over the years. In 2000, there were 883 people, and by 2020, the population reached 1,958.

Many families live in Frenchtown. In 2010, about 47% of households had children under 18 living there. The average household had about three people. The median age in Frenchtown was 34 years old.

The Smurfit-Stone Mill Site

Smurfit Stone Frenchtown Montana 4
The former Smurfit-Stone mill in Frenchtown, Montana.
Control room balcony
View of the main equipment hall from the control room balcony, September 2020.
Smurfit-Stone switching engine
A small diesel locomotive abandoned at the mill's loading docks.

Frenchtown was once home to a large paper mill called Smurfit-Stone. This mill started making containerboard in 1957. It was a big employer in the area, with 417 workers when it closed in 2010.

After the mill closed, there were concerns about chemicals left on the site. The EPA has been working to clean up the area. They are testing for and removing substances like dioxins and heavy metals.

The cleanup efforts are important for the community's health and safety. Local groups are also involved in the cleanup process. The mill was a major taxpayer, helping to fund local services like the fire and school districts.

Learning in Frenchtown

Frenchtown has its own school district, called Frenchtown Public Schools. This district serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. In the 2021-2022 school year, about 1,463 students were enrolled.

The sports teams at Frenchtown High School are known as the Broncs. Frenchtown also has a branch of the Missoula Public Library. This means students and residents can easily access books and other learning resources.

Media and Connections

Frenchtown has its own radio station, KFGM-FM. This station is owned by Missoula Community Radio. For news, residents read the Missoulian newspaper, which is based in nearby Missoula.

Getting Around Frenchtown

Interstate 90 is a major highway that runs through the southern part of Frenchtown. It helps people travel to and from the community. About 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Frenchtown, US Route 93 meets I-90 in a place called Wye.

The closest airport to Frenchtown is the Missoula Montana Airport. It's located about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the community. This airport makes it easy for people to fly in and out of the area.

See also

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