Lewistown is a small community
but recent census data shows that we're not much smaller than we were during the boom year of 1920.
| Lewistown City Population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 72 | ||
| 1890 | 785 | 990.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,096 | 39.6% | |
| 1910 | 2,992 | 173.0% | |
| 1920 | 6,120 | 104.5% | |
| 1930 | 5,358 | −12.5% | |
| 1940 | 5,874 | 9.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,573 | 11.9% | |
| 1960 | 7,408 | 12.7% | |
| 1970 | 6,437 | −13.1% | |
| 1980 | 7,104 | 10.4% | |
| 1990 | 6,051 | −14.8% | |
| 2000 | 5,813 | −3.9% | |
| 2010 | 5,901 | 1.5% | |
Fergus County and the surrounding area fueled Lewistown's momentum.
Today the total county population is about 41% of what it was in 1920.
| Fergus County Population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 3,514 | ||
| 1900 | 6,937 | 97.4% | |
| 1910 | 17,385 | 150.6% | |
| 1920 | 28,344 | 63.0% | |
| 1930 | 16,531 | −41.7% | |
| 1940 | 14,040 | −15.1% | |
| 1950 | 14,015 | −0.2% | |
| 1960 | 14,018 | 0% | |
| 1970 | 12,611 | −10.0% | |
| 1980 | 13,076 | 3.7% | |
| 1990 | 12,083 | −7.6% | |
| 2000 | 11,893 | −1.6% | |
| 2010 | 11,586 | −2.6% | |
Without the help of everyone at large - Lewistown may not continue to thrive.
 |
| Source: www.phillipsrealty.com |
Over recent years several BIG Fergus County ranches have been purchased
by "rich folks" from New York, Hawaii, Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and more.
Nobody ever sees them.
They may have fallen in love with our mountains and rolling prairies.
And I know they enjoy our wildlife, hunting, and fishing.
They may occasionally shop or dine downtown.
But the sad fact is...
They have no connection to Lewistown.
Don't get me wrong - I know what it's like to be a "fat cat".
I've flown on private planes and that kind of travel isolates you.
You're dropped off and picked up on the runway.
Then driven to your destination.
You're dropped off and picked up on the runway.
Then driven to your destination.
These new people work hard for their money!
That's why they escape to places like rural Montana.
Their homes are situated far from town on vast tracks of land.
While "visiting" somebody makes sure they have what they need.
And if they don't have something - they buy it "at home" and ship it here.
So... What's different between these new folks and those before them?
They don't live here full time!
 |
| Lewistown Courthouse and Homes 1910s - Courtesy Montana Memory Project - Lewistown Library |
In the old days this was "home" for everyone.
Whether they ranched or owned a local business -
it was to their advantage to support and sustain their community.
So...
They invested in the infrastructure.
They built theaters.
They shopped downtown.
They joined clubs.
They attended and gave to their local church.
They legislated for programs that would improve our area.
 |
| Leading Lewistown Citizens 1897 - Courtesty Montana Memory Project - Lewistown Library |
Today leading Lewistown citizens still actively support community growth.
Donating their time, money, resources, and expertise.
But it's questionable whether they alone can take Lewistown to "next".
How do we get new owners to think like residents?
That's our job not theirs.
We can't sit back and expect "vacationers" to care about new streets.
We must develop and support downtown businesses that appeal to "visitors".
We have to reach out to these "pleasure seekers" and solicit their involvement.
WE NEED THEM MORE THAN THEY NEED US.
Thanks to Wikipedia for the Census Data.
Wikipedia is a FREE non-profit digital encyclopedia.
I use it DAILY.
Check it out! http://www.wikipedia.org/
