Monida, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monida, Montana
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![]() American Orient Express in Monida
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Country | United States |
State | Montana |
County | Beaverhead |
Elevation | 6,788 ft (2,069 m) |
Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
Area code(s) | 406 |
GNIS feature ID | 787554 |
Monida is a very small place in Beaverhead County, Montana, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community." This means it does not have its own local government, unlike a city or town. Monida is special because it sits right on the border between Montana and Idaho.
Discovering Monida, Montana
Monida is located on Interstate 15, a major highway. It is at the very top of a place called Monida Pass. This spot is about 14.7 miles (23.7 km) east-southeast of a town named Lima.
A Special Location
What makes Monida truly unique is its location. It sits right on the Continental Divide. Imagine a giant line across North America where rainwater decides which ocean it will flow to. Water on one side goes to the Pacific Ocean, and water on the other side goes to the Atlantic Ocean. That's the Continental Divide! Monida is right on this important natural boundary. It also marks the southernmost point in the state of Montana.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Monida" is quite clever! It was created by combining the first three letters of "Montana" and "Idaho." This makes sense, as Monida is right on the state line between these two places. The Monida post office, which handles mail, first opened way back in 1891.
Monida's Past
Even though Monida is a very small community today, with only about six people living there permanently, it has a rich history. Long ago, Monida was a busy and important town. It was a popular spot for tourists who were traveling through the area. It was also a hub for cattle ranching. This means many people worked with cows and livestock there. Monida was once a lively place full of activity and travelers.