Bozeman, Montana

Early history

For many years, indigenous people of the United States, including the Shoshone, Nez Perce, Blackfeet, Flathead, Crow, and Sioux traveled through the area, called the "Valley of the Flowers".^[10] The Gallatin Valley in particular, in which Bozeman is located, was primarily within the territory of the Crow people.

19th century

William Clark visited the area in July 1806 as he traveled east from Three Forks along the Gallatin River. The party camped 3 miles (4.8 km) east of what is now Bozeman, at the mouth of Kelly Canyon. The journal entries from Clark's party briefly describe the future city's location.^[11]

Other

In 1864, W. W. Alderson described Gallatin County as "one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys the eye ever beheld, abounding in springs of clear water." Many tended to agree, and Bozeman quickly garnered the nickname of "The Egypt" of Montana.^[20]

After incorporation, the first issue of the weekly Avant Courier newspaper, the precursor of today's Bozeman Chronicle, was published in Bozeman on September 13, 1871.^[21]

Bozeman's main cemetery, Sunset Hills Cemetery, was given to the city in 1872, when English lawyer and philanthropist William Henry Blackmore purchased the land after his wife Mary Blackmore died of pneumonia in Bozeman in July 1872.^[23]

The first library in Bozeman was formed by the Young Men's Library Association in a room above a drugstore in 1872. It later moved to the mayor's office and was taken over by the city in 1890.^[23] The first Grange meeting in Montana Territory was held in Bozeman in 1873.^[24] The Northern Pacific Railway reached Bozeman from the east in 1883.^[25] By 1900, Bozeman's population had reached 3,500.

In 1892, the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries established a fish hatchery on Bridger Creek at the entrance to Bridger Canyon. The fourth-oldest fish hatchery in the United States, the facility ceased to be primarily a hatchery in 1966 and became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Bozeman National Fish Hatchery, later a fish technology and health center. The center receives around 5,000 visitors a year, observing biologists working on diet testing, feed manufacturing technology, fish diseases, brood stock development, and improvement of water quality.^[26][27]

Bozeman was home to early minor league baseball. In 1892, Bozeman fielded a team in the Class B level Montana State League. In 1909, the Bozeman Irrigators played as members of the Class D level Inter-Mountain League. Both leagues disbanded.^[28]

Montana State University was established in 1893 as the state's land-grant college, then named the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. By the 1920s, the institution was known as Montana State College, and in 1965, it became Montana State University.^[29]

20th century

Bozeman's first high school, Gallatin Valley High School, was built on West Main Street in 1902. Later known as Willson School, named for notable Bozeman architect Fred Fielding Willson, son of Lester S. Willson, the building still stands today and functions as administrative offices for the Bozeman School District.^[30]

In the early 20th century, over 17,000 acres (69 km²) of the Gallatin Valley were planted in edible peas harvested for both canning and seed.^[31] By the 1920s, canneries in the Bozeman area were major producers of canned peas, and at one point, Bozeman produced roughly 75% of all seed peas in the United States.^[32] The area was once known as the "Sweet Pea Capital of the Nation", referencing the prolific edible pea crop. To promote the area and celebrate its prosperity, local business owners began a "Sweet Pea Carnival" that included a parade and queen contest. The annual event lasted from 1906 to 1916. Promoters used the inedible but fragrant and colorful sweet pea flower as an emblem of the celebration. In 1977, the "Sweet Pea" concept was revived as an arts festival rather than a harvest celebration, growing into a three-day event that is one of the largest festivals in Montana.^[31]

The first federal building and post office was built in 1915. Many years later, while unused, it became a film location, along with downtown Bozeman, in A River Runs Through It (1992) by Robert Redford, starring Brad Pitt. It is now used by Human Resource Development Council, a community organization.

In 1986, the 60-acre (24 ha) site of the Idaho Pole Co. on Rouse Avenue was designated a Superfund site and placed on the National Priorities List. Idaho Pole treated wood products with creosote and pentachlorophenol on the site between 1945 and 1997.^[33]

The Museum of the Rockies, created in 1957 as the gift from Butte physician Caroline McGill, is a part of Montana State University and an affiliate institution of the Smithsonian. It is Montana's premier natural and cultural history museum and houses permanent exhibits on dinosaurs, geology, and Montana history, as well as a planetarium and a living history farm. Paleontologist Jack Horner was the museum's first curator of paleontology and brought national notice to the museum for his fossil discoveries in the 1980s.^[34]

21st century

From a rank of sixth in the early 1980s, Bozeman has grown to become the fourth-largest city in Montana.^[35][36]

Growth in the Gallatin Valley prompted the Gallatin Airport Authority in 2009 to expand the Gallatin Field Airport with two new gates, an expanded passenger screening area, and a third baggage carousel.^[37] Subsequently, Gallatin Field was renamed Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.^[38] Bozeman has been one of Montana's fastest-growing cities from 1990 into the new millennium, currently growing at a fluctuating rate around 2–3% annually.^[39]

In 2009, a natural gas explosion on the 200 block of East Main Street destroyed five buildings housing several businesses, including Boodles Restaurant and the Montana Trails Gallery.^[40] The explosion, caused by a separation in an underground gas line, killed a 36-year-old gallery employee, and the resulting fire burned for more than a day.^[41]

That same year, city officials were criticized for requesting job applicants provide their user names and passwords to social networking sites.^[42]

In 2021, median home price in Bozeman were reported to be about 75% above the national median, while the median household income was 25% below the national median.^[43]

Climate

Bozeman experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) as it is located in a more humid microclimate setting. Bozeman and the surrounding area receive significantly higher rainfall than much of the central and eastern parts of the state, up to 24 inches (610 mm) of precipitation annually compared to the 8 to 12 inches (200 to 300 mm) common throughout much of Montana east of the Continental Divide.^[45] Combined with fertile soils, this means plant growth is relatively lush. This undoubtedly contributed to the Gallatin Valley's early nickname as the "Valley of the Flowers", as well as the establishment of Montana State University, the state's agricultural college, in the city.^[46] Bozeman has cold, snowy winters and relatively warm summers, though due to high elevation, temperature changes from day to night can be significant. The highest temperature ever recorded in Bozeman was 105 °F (40.6 °C) on July 31, 1892. The lowest recorded temperature, −46 °F (−43.3 °C), occurred in 1957 and 1983.^[47]

In 2019, Bozeman experienced unusually warm and dry temperatures during December. Montana State University campus reported a daily average of 0.2 inches (5.1 mm) of precipitation for the month, some of the lowest numbers seen in over 120 years. The school also recorded just over 3 inches (76.2 mm) of snowfall during December, the second-lowest snowfall ever recorded. Additionally, maximum temperatures were 2 °F (1 °C) warmer and lowest temperatures were 6 °F (3 °C) above typical standards in previous Decembers.^[48] December 2023 had also been unusually warm and dry, in line with the country as a whole.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Bozeman had a population of 53,293 and 21,735 households. The population density was 2,587.2 inhabitants per square mile (998.9/km²). About 99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.^[52][53]

The median age was 28.1 years. About 15.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.4% were 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 108.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 110.2 males.^[52]

For residents aged 25 or older, 97.8% had graduated from high school or higher, and 64.2% held at least a bachelor's degree.^[52]

There were 21,735 households; 21.5% had children under 18 living in them. About 33.6% were married-couple households, 27.9% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. Roughly 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older, and the average household size was 2.24 people.^[52]

There were 23,535 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%.^[52]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010,^[55] 37,280 people, 15,775 households, and 6,900 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,949.8 inhabitants per square mile (752.8/km²). The 17,464 housing units had an average density of 913.4 per square mile (352.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.5% African American, 1.1% [Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.9% of the population.

Of the 15,775 households, 21.3% had children under 18 living with them, 33.1% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 56.3% were not families. About 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.17, and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 27.2 years, The age distribution was 15.7% under 18, 28.2% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.6% male and 47.4% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, 27,509 people, 10,877 households, and 5,014 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,183.8 inhabitants per square mile (843.2/km²). The 11,577 housing units had an average density of 919.0 per square mile (354.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.73% White, 0.33% African American, 1.24% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.59% of the population.

Of the 10,877 households, 22.3% had children under 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.9% were not families. Around 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the age distribution was 16.0% under 18, 33.0% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 112.6 males.

In the city, the median income for a household was $32,156 and for a family was $41,723. Males had a median income of $28,794 versus $20,743 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,104. About 9.2% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under 18 and 4.4% of those 65 or over.

Points of interest

Museums and gardens:

• American Computer Museum
• Gallatin Historical Society-The Pioneer Museum^[60]
• Montana Arboretum and Gardens
• Museum of the Rockies
• Story Mansion^[61]

Libraries:

• Bozeman Public Library^[62]
• Renne Library, Montana State University^[63]

Other:

• BZN International Film Festival^[64]
• Gibson Guitar Factory
• Sweet Pea-A Festival of the Arts – Festival held annually since 1977. The Sweet Pea Carnival was first established in 1906.^[65][66]
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Technology Center, established 1892^[26][27]
• Last Best Comedy Club

Public

Bozeman Public Schools has two components: Bozeman Elementary School District and Bozeman High School District.^[75] Belgrade Public Schools has two components: Belgrade Elementary School District and Belgrade High School District.^[76] Almost all of Bozeman is in Bozeman Elementary School District and Bozeman High School District. A small piece extends into Belgrade Elementary School District and Belgrade High School District.^[77]

• The Bozeman Public School District operates two high schools – Bozeman High School and Gallatin High School; two middle schools – Chief Joseph Middle School and Sacajawea Middle School; and eight elementary schools – Emily Dickinson Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, Hyalite Elementary School, Irving Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School, Meadowlark Elementary School, Morning Star Elementary School, and Whittier Elementary School.^[78]
• The district also operates the Bridger Alternative Program as a branch campus of Bozeman High School to serve "at-risk" secondary students.^[79]
• The former Emerson Elementary School is now a cultural community center. Willson School, originally a high school, then a middle school, then the base for an alternative high school, is still owned by the school district and houses a number of school district offices.

Private

• Headwaters Academy near the campus of Montana State University is a co-educational middle school (grades 6 through 8).
• Petra Academy is a co-educational school (prekindergarten through grade 12) affiliated with Protestant teachings.
• Heritage Christian School located off Durston Rd is a co-educational school (prekindergarten through grade 12).

Post-secondary

• Bozeman is home to Montana State University, the state's largest university and the flagship campus of the Montana State University System. It set a new fall enrollment record in the fall of 2024, at a total of 17,144 students on campus.^[80]

Newspapers and magazines

• Bozeman Avant Courier – published 1871–1905^[81]
• The Republican-Courier – published 1905–1913^[82]
• The Bozeman Courier – publisher 1919–1954^[83]
• Bozeman Daily Chronicle

AM radio

Source:^[84]

• KBOZ 1090, Talk/personality, Reier Broadcasting Company
• KOBB 1230, Sports talk, Reier Broadcasting Company
• KPRK AM 1340, News/talk, Townsquare Media
• KMMS 1450, News/talk, Townsquare Media
• KYWL AM 1490, Active Rock

FM radio

Source:^[84]

• KGLT 91.9, Variety, Montana State University
• KMMS-FM 94.7, Adult album, Townsquare Media
• KISN 96.7, Top 40 contemporary hit radio, Townsquare Media
• KXLB 100.7, Country music, Townsquare Media
• KBMC (FM) 102.1, Variety, Montana State University-Billings
• KZMY 103.5, Hot adult contemporary, Townsquare Media
• KBZM 104.7, Classic rock, Orion Media LLC
• KKQX 105.7, Classic rock, Orion Media LLC
• KSCY 106.9, Country music, Orion Media LLC
• KOZB 97.5, Active rock, Desert Mountain Broadcasting Company
• KBOZ-FM 99.9, Soft oldie, Desert Mountain Broadcasting Company
• KOBB-FM 93.7, Classic hits, Desert Mountain Broadcasting Company

Television

Source:^[85]

• KDBZ-CD 6 NBC, Sinclair Broadcast Group
• KBZK 7 CBS, E. W. Scripps Company
• KUSM 9 PBS, Montana State University
• KWYB-LD 28-1 ABC, Cowles Company (LP relay from Butte)
• KWYB-LD 28-2 FOX

Filming location

Movies filmed in Bozeman include:

• The Wildest Dream^[86]
• A River Runs Through It
• A Plumm Summer
• Amazing Grace and Chuck^[87]

Transportation

Highways include:

• Interstate 90
• U.S. Highway 191
• Montana Highway 86
• Montana Highway 84

Freight rail service is provided by Montana Rail Link, a privately held Class II railroad that connects Spokane, Washington, with Huntley, Montana.^{[needs update]} The city was last served by passenger rail in 1979 by the North Coast Hiawatha at Bozeman Depot.

Public transportation is provided by Streamline, a zero-fare public bus system.^[88][89] It was operated by the local nonprofit Human Resource Development Council from its inception in 2006 until July 1, 2025, when operations were taken over by the newly created Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District.^[90][91][92]

The Skyline bus service, operated by the Gallatin County Big Sky Transportation District, provides service between Bozeman and Big Sky.^[93]

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.^[94]

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport serves travelers to Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstone, and Yellowstone National Park.^{[citation needed]}

Fire department

The Bozeman Fire Department is a full-time career fire department. Currently, 47 uniformed firefighters are at three stations, with four engines (one reserve), a ladder truck, a battalion chief's truck, two brush trucks, a hazardous material unit, and two medic units. The Bozeman Fire Department responded to approximately 5,000 emergency calls in 2020.^[95]