Moorhead, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moorhead
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The Powder River less than 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Moorhead.
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 Moorhead
Location in Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Powder River |
| Elevation | 3,347 ft (1,020 m) |
| Population
(2014)
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| • Total | 1 |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT |
| GNIS feature ID | 774368 |
Moorhead is a small, unincorporated community located in southern Powder River County, Montana, in the United States. It's not a big city with its own local government, but rather a collection of homes and buildings. Moorhead is found along Moorhead Road, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Broadus, which is the main town and county seat of Powder River County.
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What is Moorhead's Climate Like?
Moorhead experiences a semi-arid climate. This means the area is quite dry, but not a full desert. It gets more rain than a desert, but not enough to be considered humid. Summers can be hot, and winters are cold, with snowfall.
A Look at Moorhead's History
Moorhead has an interesting past, especially concerning early American history and the development of towns in Montana.
Early Events: American Indian Wars
The land where Moorhead now stands was once part of important historical events. On September 13, 1865, during the Powder River Expedition, soldiers led by Colonel Nelson D. Cole and Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Walker marched through this area.
Later, on March 17, 1876, a battle took place very close to Moorhead. This was the Battle of Powder River, a part of the Great Sioux War of 1876. After the battle, the surviving United States Army soldiers retreated south, passing right over the future site of Moorhead.
How the Town of Moorhead Grew
Moorhead was officially started in 1892. At first, it was called Franklin and was located in Custer County.
Changing the Town's Name
In 1898, a person named Bryon Kelsey changed the town's name to Moorhead. He named it after Annis P. Moorhead, who had settled on the land where the town was built.
Early Businesses and County Changes
The very first store in Moorhead was opened in 1900 by Bryon Kelsey. In 1919, Moorhead became part of the newly formed Powder River County. The town of Broadus became the county seat, which is the main administrative town for the county. Over the years, Moorhead's post office moved several times.
Bridges and Floods
In the 1930s, the first car bridge was built over the Powder River at Moorhead. However, in the spring of 1948, a big flood washed away this two-lane bridge.
Moorhead in the Mid-1900s
By 1949, Moorhead had a few important buildings. There was one post office, one store, and one schoolhouse. The schoolhouse was also used as a church and a place for dances. The town also had one saloon and one gas station.
Around this time, there was a plan to build a dam on the Powder River at Moorhead. But in the 1950s, when the dam project didn't happen, many of the businesses in Moorhead started to close down.
New Bridges and Relocations
In 1956, a footbridge was built across the Powder River at Moorhead. This bridge was used to carry mail three times a week. Then, in 1972, a second car bridge was built right next to the footbridge.
Later, a rancher named George Fulton moved the store and post office. He moved them about one mile north of their original spot on Moorhead Road, placing them near the old Moorhead schoolhouse. Today, his son Hugh owns these three remaining buildings. In 2019, the current car bridge was found to be unsafe and was closed to all traffic.
