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Located in the northwest corner of Montana, the Tobacco Valley incorporates the northeastern portion of Lincoln County. The town of Eureka, the farthest north community, provides the largest population in the Tobacco Valley with 1,017
1 residents. There are four other contributing communities to the valley; south of Eureka are Trego, Fortine and Stryker and to the west is the town of Rexford. Total estimated population in the valley is 5,500. Eureka is the second largest town in Lincoln County with Libby, 70 miles southwest, being the largest.
The Tobacco Valley is nestled in a lower valley of the Montana Rocky Mountains, one of the lowest elevations in the state at 2680 feet
2. The Tobacco Valley has been referred to as the Banana Belt of Montana with the average temperatures in the winter of 24 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures averaging 78 degrees Fahrenheit
3. The Tobacco Valley is a dry climate area with 14.39 inches of precipitation annually
4.
The area is an ideal location for a variety of outdoor activities. The numerous lakes and streams in the valley create a wonderful opportunity for fishing, kayaking, boating and swimming. The Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area, east of Eureka about 10 miles, has several alpine lakes with a range of hiking and mountain biking trails. Trails intertwine throughout the surrounding mountain ranges providing numerous outdoor opportunities. The valley is enclosed by the Purcell and Whitefish mountains of the Rockies and is encompassed by the Kootenai National Forest. The region is marked by unique glacier formed drumlins that cover the valley's floor.
Highway 93 runs north and south through the valley and connects it to Whitefish, MT (51 miles south of Eureka) and to British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. The United States/Canadian border is 8 miles north of Eureka. Within a day's drive are Seattle, Washington; Spokane, Washington; Coeur D'Alene, Idaho and Calgary, Alberta. Eureka has wonderful lodging at several Bed and Breakfasts, two motels and numerous camping areas on state and federal Forest Service lands. Eureka is within a couple hours from Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, Kootenai Falls, Ross Creek Cedar Grove, Big Mountain Ski Resort and Fernie Alpine Resort. Highway 37 follows the winding shores of Lake Koocanusa, the 90 mile long reservoir, to the Lincoln County seat of Libby. Also located 6 miles north of Eureka is the North Lincoln County Airport. This airport provides a great spot for small air traffic and has the potential for expansion. Serving the area in commercial aviation travel is the Glacier International Airport 70 (est.) miles southwest of Eureka near Kalispell, Montana.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2001, the highest employment area for Tobacco Valley residents is the natural resources based industries of forestry, fishing, hunting and agriculture followed by utilities and construction industries
5.
There is minimal private land ownership in the county. Fifteen (15) percent of the land is owned by private individuals with the majority of the private ownership on the valley floor. Ten (10) percent is owned by large corporations, such as Plum Creek and BLM. The other 75% of the land in Lincoln County is national and state owned.
"The Story of the Tobacco Plains Country, the Autobiography of a Community." Published by "The Pioneers of the Tobacco Plains Country," 1950, editor: Olga Weydemeyer Johnson History and stories about pioneers who settled in the area around Eureka, Lincoln County, Montana
http://www.eurekaartsandhistory.org/boh_index.html
1Montana Decennial Census total resident population 2000
2Chamber of Commerce website
3Chamber of Commerce website
4Eureka Ranger Station, Montana Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary
5The Community Tourism Assessment Program (CTAP) stated p. 14 that 28% of Tobacco valley residents derived their income from the forestry/forest products sector and 24% from the construction sector.
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