Trego, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Trego, Montana
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 Trego, Montana
Location in Montana
Trego, Montana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lincoln |
| Area | |
| • Total | 54.83 sq mi (142.01 km2) |
| • Land | 53.90 sq mi (139.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.93 sq mi (2.40 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,117 ft (950 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 515 |
| • Density | 9.55/sq mi (3.69/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59934
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| GNIS feature ID | 792364 |
| FIPS code | 30-74725 |
Trego is a small community in Lincoln County, Montana, United States. It is a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistics. In 2020, Trego had a population of 515 people.
Trego is located just west of US Highway 93. It is often seen as the entry point to the Tobacco Valley when you travel north from Flathead County.
Contents
Discover Trego's Location
Trego is found in the northeastern part of Lincoln County. It covers a large area around Fortine Creek. U.S. Route 93 runs along the edge of Trego. This highway connects Trego to Eureka, about 16 miles northwest, and Whitefish, about 35 miles southeast.
Trego is also about 25 miles south of the Canadian border. It's 16 miles south of Eureka, Montana and 5 miles south of Fortine, Montana.
The Trego area is full of thick forests and open grassy areas. Many small creeks and lakes are also found here. The Whitefish Range mountains, with peaks like Stryker Peak, stand tall to the east.
Dickey Lake is the biggest lake in Trego. Murphy Lake is the second largest. Both lakes are great for fun activities like boating, camping, hiking, and swimming. Fortine Creek is the largest creek in Trego and also offers public access for recreation.
Trego's Climate
Trego, Montana, has a mild climate. Winters are cold, and summers are warm. In summer, temperatures can reach about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, they can drop to around 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall temperatures are usually between 35 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Trego gets about 17 inches of rain each year. The average for the U.S. is 38 inches. Trego also gets a lot of snow, averaging 56 inches per year. This is much more than the U.S. average of 28 inches. The weather in Trego is generally pleasant for outdoor activities.
Trego's History
The Fortin Family: Trego's First Settlers
The Fortin family is very important to Trego's history. They were the first homesteaders in the area. In 1894, Octave Fortin and his family settled on 160 acres of land. This land became known as the OF Ranch. Octave's brother, Phillip Fortin, also settled nearby.
An old trail, the Fort Steele/Kalispell Trail, ran along the Fortin Ranch. You can still see parts of this old trail today. The Fortin family raised cattle and also produced milk, butter, and grains.
How "Fortin" Became "Fortine"
The town of Fortine, Fortine Creek, and Fortine Creek Road are all named after the Fortin family. But how did the "E" get added to the name? Henry Fortin, one of Octave's sons, explained it in his memoir. When railroad engineers asked Octave how to say his name, he said it the French way: "For-Tan." It was hard for him to spell. When they asked if it was spelled "Fortine," he said "Oui Oui" (yes, yes). And so, the name "Fortine" stuck!
The Great Northern Railway "Town Swap"
When the Great Northern Railway built its line through the area in the early 1900s, two stops were named Trego and Fortine. There's a famous local story that the town names were accidentally swapped. An engineer supposedly put the "Trego" sign where "Fortine" should have been, and vice versa.
The railroad had already printed all its maps and information. To avoid the high cost of reprinting everything, they decided to just leave the names as they were. This is why the towns are named the way they are today!
The Fortin Family's Lasting Impact
In 1905, Octave Fortin helped start the Trego School District #53. This school still teaches children from Trego today.
Octave also received the first-ever U.S. Forest Service Grazing Permit in 1925. This allowed ranchers to let their cattle graze in the Blackfeet National Forest (now Kootenai National Forest). This tradition continues for many ranches in Lincoln County.
Ant Flat Ranger Station
The Ant Flat Ranger Station became one of the first year-round ranger stations in Montana in 1904. It was a good spot because it had water, land for animals, and was close to timber and the railway.
Fred Herrig was the first ranger. He helped make the station important for finding and stopping fires. The buildings you see there today were built after 1920. They show how the Forest Service grew and changed over time. The station became a seasonal work center in 1963.
Trego Community Hall
The Trego Community Hall was built in 1947 by volunteers. The Opelt Family donated the land. It's now called the Trego, Fortine, Stryker (TFS) Community Hall.
The hall has tall ceilings, perfect for basketball games. It also has a stage for music and dances. Later, a kitchen and more space were added. The hall is still a popular place for the communities of Trego, Fortine, and Stryker to gather.
The Community Hall hosts many annual events. These include an Easter Egg Hunt, a Bike-a-Thon, Trego Heritage Days, a Halloween Party, and a Christmas Bazaar.
Dickey Lake Bible Camp
In 1946, several pastors and families started a camp on the northwest shore of Dickey Lake. They wanted a place to help young people and adults. This camp is still active today.
Arts and Culture in Trego
Trego hosts several fun events each year. These events celebrate the area's unique history and culture.
- The Backwoods Accordion Festival
- The Trego Car Show (both in July)
- Trego Heritage Days (in September)
The Ant Flat Ranger Station is a special place in Trego. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996. You can visit it year-round.
At the Ant Flat Ranger Station, you can also find the Ant Flat Nature Trail #348. This trail leads to a platform where you can see a marshland. It's a 1-mile loop trail, and part of it is wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms and picnic areas too.
Education in Trego
The Trego School District #53 provides education for children from kindergarten through 8th grade.
See also
In Spanish: Trego (Montana) para niños
