Twin Bridges, Montana

Twin Bridges is a town in Madison County, Montana, United States. It lies at the confluence of the Ruby, Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers which form the Jefferson River.[5] Twin Bridges is a well-known fly fishing mecca for trout anglers.[6] The population was 375 at the 2010 census.

Twin Bridges, Montana
Town
Welcoming water tower from a ranch road
Location of Twin Bridges, Montana
Coordinates: 45°32′41″N 112°19′54″W
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Madison
Government
• Type	Council-Mayor
Area [1]
• Total	1.01 sq mi (2.63 km^2)
• Land	1.01 sq mi (2.63 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation [2]	4,626 ft (1,410 m)
Population  (2010)[3]
• Total	375
• Estimate  (2019)[4]	417
• Density	411.24/sq mi (158.73/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (Mountain Daylight Time)
ZIP code	59754
Area code(s)	406
FIPS code	30-75475
GNIS feature ID	0792499

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.96 square miles (2.49 km²), all of it land.[7]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Twin Bridges has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[8]

History

Looking South down Main Street in Twin Bridges, Montana 1896

Four Indian trails came together at a bend of the Beaverhead River north of the present school building in Twin Bridges. These trails were used by early settlers and freight companies, and helped to establish where the community of Twin Bridges would develop. Judge M.H. Lott came to Montana in 1862, and with his brother John T. Lott, settled in the Ruby Valley in 1864. In 1865 they built a bridge across the Beaverhead River, and later built another bridge across the Beaverhead at the Point of Rocks. The Lott brothers continued development of roads and promoted settlement of the town, which was incorporated in 1902, with M.H. Lott as the first mayor.

Economy

Twin Bridges serves as a tourist destination for both fly fishers and cyclists. The town sits on two long distance cycling trails - the TransAmerica Trail, and the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail.[9] In 2009, a "bike camp" was built in the town, and local stores started stocking basic cycling supplies.[10]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	491		—
1920	755		53.8%
1930	671		−11.1%
1940	534		−20.4%
1950	497		−6.9%
1960	509		2.4%
1970	613		20.4%
1980	437		−28.7%
1990	374		−14.4%
2000	400		7.0%
2010	375		−6.2%
Est. 2019	417	[4]	11.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11][12]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 375 people, 172 households, and 94 families living in the town. The population density was 390.6 inhabitants per square mile (150.8/km²). There were 206 housing units at an average density of 214.6 per square mile (82.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 172 households, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.3% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the town was 44.6 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 54.7% male and 45.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 400 people, 175 households, and 105 families living in the town. The population density was 419.5 people per square mile (162.6/km²). There were 216 housing units at an average density of 226.5 per square mile (87.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.75% White, 0.25% Asian, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 175 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,171. About 6.2% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

• Benny Reynolds, rodeo champion, was born here.

• Angela McLean, lieutenant governor of Montana, is a graduate of Twin Bridges High School.
• Spokane, the winner of the 1889 Kentucky Derby, was born in the Round Barn at Twin Bridges, located about two miles north of town.[14]
• Donald Rumsfeld, American political figure and businessman [15]

See also

• The Round Barn at Twin Bridges, once described as a "swank hotel for horses," is on the National Register of Historic Places.[14]

Gallery

• 
  Northern Entrance To Twin Bridges, MT
• 
  Blue Anchor Cafe, Main Street, Twin Bridges, MT

Notes

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
2. USGS Place names
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
5. 2000 Census from City-Data.com
6. Munday, Pat (2001). Montana's Last Best River: The Big Hole & its People. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press. pp. 133–136. ISBN 1-58574-331-3.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
8. Climate Summary for Twin Bridges, Montana
9. "Twin Bridges: Rural Friendliness Pays Dividends | Adventure Cyclist". Adventure Cycling Association. 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
10. Giddings, Caitlin (2016-02-08). "How Bike Touring Saved This Small Town". Bicycling. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "Census & Economic Information Center". Retrieved July 3, 2015.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
14. Briggeman, Kim. “1889 Derby Winner Directed National Attention to Iconic Round Barn in Twin Bridges.” Missoulian, May 3, 2015 edition. Accessed May 3, 2015.
15. O’Brien, Gerard. "Rumsfeld in retirement".

External links

• Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce