West Glacier, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Glacier, Montana
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Sign for West Glacier on US Route 2
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 West Glacier, Montana
Location in Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Flathead |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.22 sq mi (10.92 km2) |
| • Land | 4.14 sq mi (10.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,163 ft (964 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 221 |
| • Density | 53.36/sq mi (20.60/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes |
59921, 59936
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-79075 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0793105 |
West Glacier is a small community in Flathead County, Montana, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which is a special area defined for gathering population data. In 2020, about 221 people lived there.
This town is super important because it's right at the west entrance to Glacier National Park. You can find it along U.S. Route 2 and a main train line called the BNSF Railway. The main offices for Glacier National Park are also located very close by.
Contents
History of West Glacier
West Glacier was once a very remote place. Not many people settled there until a major train line, the Great Northern Railway (GNR), reached the Rocky Mountains in 1890. This transcontinental railway was finished on January 6, 1893.
Early Days as Belton
The railroad set up a station at the current West Glacier site and called it "Belton." A small community slowly started to grow around it. A post office was opened in Belton in 1900. However, not many people moved there permanently because the area was very rugged and covered in thick forests.
The community relies a lot on tourism. Its small permanent population grows a lot during the summer when tourists visit. Most businesses, like the golf course, are open mainly in the summer to serve travelers. The town is located at an elevation of about 3,169 feet (966 meters).
The Famous Belton Chalets
The Belton Chalets in West Glacier were built in 1910. They were designed in a Swiss style. This was the first hotel built by the Great Northern Railway near Glacier National Park. It welcomed guests who arrived by train. From here, visitors would travel deeper into the park to other chalets and tent camps.
During the Great Depression, the Belton Chalet provided housing for the workers who were building the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Over the years, the chalet has been home to many different businesses. Today, it is one of Montana's most historic hotels. The chalet is still standing and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Changing the Name to West Glacier
In 1949, the town decided to change its name from Belton to West Glacier. This was done to help promote tourism and make it clearer that the town was the gateway to Glacier National Park.
Tourism and Travel
West Glacier is a popular spot for tourists, especially those visiting Glacier National Park.
Train Travel to West Glacier
By the early 1900s, more and more tourists began to visit the amazing mountains east and north of Belton. In 1910, this beautiful area was officially named Glacier National Park. Since Belton was the closest train station, it became the main entry point to the park. The park's main offices were also set up there. Today, Amtrak's Empire Builder train still stops daily at the West Glacier station.
Car Travel to West Glacier
The number of tourists coming through Belton grew a lot in the 1920s and 1930s. This was mainly because roads in the area were getting much better. U.S. Highway 2 was finished eastward from Belton in 1930. The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which crosses Glacier Park, was completed in 1932.
In 1938, several businesses for tourists were built at the western end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Belton. These businesses became the center of the town's new shopping area. The Lundgren family has owned these businesses since 1946, and they are still open today.
The town was renamed "West Glacier" in 1949 to better show where it is and help tourists find it easily. Even though the town's name changed, the train station and the historic chalet complex kept the "Belton" name.
Climate
West Glacier has a type of climate called a warm summer continental climate. This means it has cold, snowy winters and warm summers.
See also
In Spanish: West Glacier (Montana) para niños
Images for kids
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U.S. post office at West Glacier
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West Glacier's former Great Northern Railway station, now used by Amtrak
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Travel Alberta Visitors Centre encouraging cross-border tourism
