Harlowton, Montana

{{Short description|City in and county seat of Wheatland County, Montana, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Harlowton |settlement_type = City |nickname = Harlo |motto = |image_skyline = Harlowton_Montana_Skyline2.png |imagesize = |image_caption = Skyline, Harlowton, MT |image_map = Wheatland_County_Montana_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Harlowton_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Harlowton, Montana  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{USA}} |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Montana}} |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Wheatland  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = |established_date =  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 5, 2022}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 1.62 |area_land_km2 = 1.62 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_total_sq_mi = 0.63 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.63 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 955 |population_density_km2 = 589.30 |population_density_sq_mi = 1525.56  |timezone = Mountain (MST) |utc_offset = −7 |timezone_DST = MDT |utc_offset_DST = −6 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 4219 |coordinates = {{coord|46|26|12|N|109|50|06|W|type:city_region:US-MT|display=it}}  |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 59036 |area_code = 406 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 30-34450 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2410704<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410704}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://harlowton.municipalimpact.com}} |footnotes = }}

'''Harlowton''' is a city in and the county seat of Wheatland County, Montana, United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 955 at the 2020 census.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref>

The city was once the eastern terminus of electric operations (1914–74) for the "Pacific Extension" of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("Milwaukee Road"). Here, steam or diesel locomotives were changed or hooked up to electric locomotives for {{convert|438|mi|adj=on}} trip through the Rocky Mountains to Avery, Idaho. Harlowton was founded in 1900 as a station stop on the Montana Railroad, a predecessor to the Milwaukee, and was named for Richard A. Harlow,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ccY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=2RAGAAAAIBAJ&pg=487%2C2128045 | title=Origins of Names on Milwaukee | work=Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times | date=August 22, 1940 | access-date=27 April 2015 | pages=6}}</ref> the Montana Railroad's president.

==History== thumb|Welcome Monument -- Electric Switch Engine E57B

The Upper Musselshell River Valley is named for the Musselshell River, which got its name from the large number of freshwater mussels found in its river bed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=A history of the Upper Musselshell Valley of Montana|last=Stearns|first=Harold Joseph|publisher=Times-Clarion|year=1966|location=Harlowton, Montana|pages=1–6|via=OCLC 3498146}}</ref> In the fall and winter weather, the bison would migrate to the lower altitudes along the Musselshell River. Early plains hunters, taking advantage of the large bison population, frequented this area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Yesteryears and Pioneers - Wheatland County|last=Harlowton Woman's Club|publisher=Western Printing & Lithography|year=1972|location=Billings, Montana|pages=286, 287, 325, 326|via=OCLC 641756}}</ref> Some of the tribes that traveled through the area were the Crow, Blackfeet, Flathead, Gros Ventre, Northern Cheyenne, Nez Perce, Shoshones, Sioux, and Assiniboine.<ref name=":0" />

Harlowton lies within the Montana High Plains that form a part of the Northwestern Plains.<ref name=":1" /> The area is most known archeologically for the line of demarcation which was mutually established between the Crow and Blackfeet tribes that passed through the area.<ref name=":0" /> This fifty-mile rock line fence crossed east to west from the Big Snowy Mountains to the Crazy Mountains.<ref name=":0" /> The rock line hunting boundary was the cause of several battles in the area.<ref name=":0" />

Within Wheatland County, site surveys have recorded and assigned archaeological site numbers to Sentinel Rock, the Fish Creek Pictograph, Owl Canyon Pictograph, Winnecook Petroglyph, Fortification site, and to several buffalo jumps in the area.<ref name=":1" /> The Big Snowy, Little Belt, Castle and Crazy Mountains have produced five wickiup (conical timbered lodges) sites and several pictograph sites.<ref name=":1" />

On May 7, 1868, a [http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Treaties/TreatyWithTheCrow1868.html treaty] with the Crow Nation and the United States Government opened the Musselshell River Valley to settlement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianlaw.mt.gov/Portals/127/crow/treaties/1868_treaty.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221231822/http://indianlaw.mt.gov/Portals/127/crow/treaties/1868_treaty.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-21 |url-status=live|title=CROW INDIANS. MAY - indianlaw.mt.gov}}</ref>

The first sheep operation on the Upper Musselshell was started by P.J. Moore in 1878.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Origin and History of Harlowton Montana|publisher=Times Clarion|year=1989|location=Harlowton, Montana|pages=17|via=OCLC 43022384}}</ref> The first large cattle operation in the area was the Chicago Montana Livestock Company in 1882, with S.S. Hobson as part owner and manager.<ref name=":2" />

On June 17, 1907, a fire destroyed 24 buildings on the north side of Harlowton's Main Street.<ref name=":4" /> The town was rebuilt, though most of the construction took place on Central Avenue to correspond with the Milwaukee Railroad plot.<ref name=":4" />

The first town election was held on June 6, 1908. Mr. A. T. Anderson was elected mayor.<ref name=":4" />

The grand opening of the Graves Hotel was on June 19, 1909, with a banquet and dance.<ref name=":4" /> Andrew Chris Graves was the principal owner.<ref name=":3" /> The Graves Hotel was added to the National register of historic places on August 6, 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/80002434.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form}}</ref>

On February 22, the 1917 legislature passed an act which created Wheatland County from Meagher and Sweet Grass Counties. The act took effect on April 1, 1917.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/MT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Montana Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|last=Long|first=John H.|website=Montana: Individual County Chronologies}}</ref> W

Wheatland was the first county in the US to go over its goal in the World War I Liberty Bond drive of 1918.<ref name=":3" /> County became the 41st county in Montana, and Harlowton became the county seat.<ref name=":4" /> For this effort, a ship, the {{USS|Wheatland|AKA-85}}, was named after the county.<ref name=":4" />

The 163rd Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the Montana National Guard based in Harlowton. It went overseas with the 41st Infantry Division in World War II.<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Poplar to Papua - Montana's 163rd Infantry Regiment in World War II|last=Kidston|first=Martin J.|publisher=FARCOUNTRY PRESS|year=2004|isbn=978-1-56037-314-8|location=Helena, Montana}}</ref>

The Jawbone Creek Country Club is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the only golf course with a cemetery in it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://centralmontana.com/listings/2121.htm|title=Jawbone Creek Country Club|website=Central Montana}}</ref>

===Merino=== thumb|alt=Standing in the middle of the main street in the business district of Harlowton, with buildings on either side.|Looking down Central Ave The town of Merino was officially established in 1881.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Origin and History of Harlowton Montana|publisher=Times Clarion|year=1989|location=Harlowton, Montana|pages=9, 18, 28, 29, 30|via=OCLC 43022384}}</ref> The name Merino came from the breed of sheep (Merino) that were run in the area by Charles Severance at the time.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Yesteryears & Pioneers|last=Harlowton Woman's Club|publisher=Western Printing & Lithography|year=1972|location=Billings, Montana|pages=102, 221, 295, 296, 302, 341, 343, 351|via=OCLC 641756}}</ref> The trading post owned by John and Archie McEachnie housed the post office, store and saloon.<ref name=":4" /> The first railroad into the area was the Montana Railroad (nicknamed the “[https://www.montanaliving.com/blogs/people/116368005-iron-persistence-history-of-montanas-jawbone-railroad Jawbone Railroad]”) in 1899.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Montana Railroad Company: better known as The Jawbone Railroad|last=Wilkerson|first=W H|publisher=Times Clarion|year=1994|location=Harlowton, Montana|via=OCLC 45687540}}</ref> The Montana Railroad terminal was located one mile northwest of Merino, so it was decided to relocate the town site.<ref name=":3" /> On June 10, 1900 Richard Harlow, father of the Montana Railroad, and Arthur Lombard, surveyor and promoter of the Montana Railroad, auctioned off lots of the new town site.<ref name=":4" />

The name Merino was changed to Harlowton on November 9, 1900.<ref name=":3" /> The first building to be erected in the new town site was a barber shop, owned by Thomas Hanzlik.<ref name=":4" />

===Big Nose George robbery=== In 1878, JV Salazar (Mexican John) was robbed of his horses, grub, and guns near the present site of Harlowton by the noted horse thief George Parrott (Big Nose George).<ref name=":2" /> At the time of the Salazar robbery, George Parrott was known to be camping on the Musselshell River with Andrew Garcia, where he was holding a bunch of stolen horses on his way to Canada.<ref name=":2" /> Big Nose George was later lynched at Rawlins, Wyoming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/big-nose-george-grisly-frontier-tale|title=Big Nose George: A Grisly Frontier Tale {{!}} WyoHistory.org}}</ref>

thumb|alt=Drone photo, looking west towards the mountains, with the buildings of Harlowton in the foreground.|Looking west in Harlowton, Montana

===Milwaukee Road=== In 1906, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad ("Milwaukee Road") started building west with its route coming though Harlowton.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Lines West Memories|last=Wilkerson|first=W H|publisher=Times Clarion|year=1992|location=Harlowton, Montana|via=OCLC 45687490}}</ref> On December 5, 1907, work was started on the Milwaukee Railroad Roundhouse in Harlowton.<ref name=":3" /> The first passenger train from the east rolled into Harlowton on March 9, 1908, with freight trains to follow.<ref name=":5" /> In 1915 the [http://harlowtonmuseum.org/Exhibits/Railroad/MilwaukeeRoad.aspx Milwaukee Railroad was electrified from Harlowton to Avery, Idaho] — over 450 mountainous miles.<ref name=":3" /> Harlowton became the eastern terminus of electric operations and was known as “the place where electricity replaces steam.”<ref name=":5" /> The Milwaukee Railroad dropped its electrified system in 1974, just months before the OPEC oil embargo of the United States.<ref name=":3" /> The Milwaukee Railroad was abandoned following a bankruptcy settlement and the last train that went through Harlowton was in March 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ridethehiawatha.com/history|title=History of the Milwaukee Road Railroad Company}}</ref> Milwaukee Road Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/88001024.pdf|title=United States Department of the Interior National Park Service|website=National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet}}</ref> The depot has been converted into the Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://centralmontana.com/listings/19043.htm|title=Central Montana|website=Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum}}</ref>

==Paleontology== The town of Harlowton is located in the Fort Union Geological formation and is famous for its Paleocene fossils.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/docs/roadsigns/PaleoscenceMammals.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324023608/http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/docs/roadsigns/PaleoscenceMammals.pdf |archive-date=2013-03-24 |url-status=live|title=Paleocene Mammals and Albert Silberling|website=Montana Department of Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/15268/USNMP-63_2469_1923.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=PALEOCENE PRIMATES OF THE FORT UNION, WITH DISCUSSION OF RELATIONSHIPS OF EOCENE PRIMATES.|last=Gidley|first=James Williams|website=PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM}}</ref> In 1902 Albert Silberling, a local homesteader and self-taught paleontologist, discovered the Douglass Quarry southwest of Harlowton.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/48517/ID369.pdf;sequence=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202104820/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/48517/ID369.pdf;sequence=2 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |url-status=live|title=MAMMALIAN FAUNA FROM DOUGLASS QUARRY, EARLIEST TIFFANIAN (LATE PALEOCENE) OF THE EASTERN CRAZY MOUNTAIN BASIN, MONTANA|last=KRAUSE, DAVID W.|first=and GINGERICH, PHILIP D.|date=December 31, 1983|website=CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://peabody.yale.edu/collections/vertebrate-paleontology/history|title=History of Vertebrate Paleontology at Yale University|last=Othniel|first=Charles Marsh|date=2010-11-10|website=Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History}}</ref> Albert Silberling and Earl Douglass, a Princeton University paleontologist, discovered fossil remains of primitive mammals including the Ptilodus, Phenacodus, and Plesiadapis in the quarries southwest of Harlowton.<ref name=":8" /> Albert Silberling's discoveries from fossils excavated in the Harlowton area have subsidized the information about life in the Paleozoic era.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Paleocene Caudata and Squamata from Gidley and Silberling Quarries, Montana|last=Sullivan|first=Robert M.|date=24 Aug 2010|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |doi=10.1080/02724634.1991.10011399|volume=11|issue = 3|pages=293–301}}</ref>

The ''Rugocaudia cooneyi'' and ''Tatankacephalus cooneyorum'' are two new dinosaur species that were found southwest of Harlowton. The [http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/r/rugocaudia.html ''Rugocaudia cooneyi''] is a new sauropod dinosaur that was described and named by the paleontologist Cary Woodruff<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.greatplainsdinosaurs.org/index.php/about-the-museum/staff-and-board-of-directors|title=Staff and Board of Directors; Cary Woodruff - Director of Paleontology|website=Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station}}</ref> in 2012.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=A new titanosauriform from the Early Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Montana|last=Woodruff|first=D. Cary|date=August 2012|doi=10.1016/j.cretres.2012.02.003|volume=36|pages=58–66|journal=Cretaceous Research}}</ref> The genus name ''Rugocaudia'' means “wrinkle tail” and the species name honors the landowner J. P. Cooney.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/04/titanosaur-tail-bones-turn-up-in-montana/1#.WId6mE0ixdg|title=Titanosaur tail (bones) turn up in Montana|last=Vergano|first=Dan|date=19 April 2012|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> The ''Tatankacephalus'' is a new ankylosaur dinosaur species found in 1997 by Bill and Kris Parsons, research associates of the Buffalo Museum of Science.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.science20.com/news_articles/tatankacephalus_cooneyorum_new_ankylosaur_dinosaur_species_discovery-61039|title=Tatankacephalus Cooneyorum - New Ankylosaur Dinosaur Species Discovery|date=30 October 2009|website=Science 2.0}}</ref>

The ''Avaceratops lammersi'' dinosaur was found on the Lammers family Careless Creek Ranch northeast of Harlowton and is the first of its kind.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=http://harlowtonmuseum.org/Exhibits/Ava.aspx|title=Meet Ava|website=Upper Musselshell Museum}}</ref> The ''Aveceratops'' is a small horned dinosaur that belongs to the Ceratopsidaie family.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The morphology and systematics of ''Avaceratops'', a primitive horned dinosaur from the Judith River Formation (Late Campanian) of Montana, with the description of a second skull|last=Dodson|first=Peter and Penkalski, Paul|date=24 Aug 2010 |doi=10.1080/02724634.1999.10011182|volume=19|issue = 4|pages=692–711|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology}}</ref> Eddie and Ava Cole discovered the fossil remains in 1981.<ref name=":7" /> Dr. Peter Dodson, Professor of Paleontology and Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania, participated in further excavation and transported the specimen to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ansp.org/visit/exhibits/dinosaur-hall/|title=Avaceratops- Dinosaur Hall- Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University|website=The Academy of Natural Sciences Drexel University}}</ref> A cast of the ''Avaceratops lammersi'' is on display at the Upper Musselshell Museum in Harlowton.<ref name=":9" />

==Geography== The town is located on the slopes of the Crazy Mountains. Other surrounding mountain ranges include the Big Snowy Mountains, Little Belt Mountains, Bull Mountains, and the Castle Mountains. It is near the Lewis and Clark National Forest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/smp/solo/GeoPath/nat_forest/l_and_c/divisions.php|title=Lewis & Clark National Forest Geographic Divisions}}</ref>

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|0.58|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

===Climate=== According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Harlowton has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

{{Weather box |location = Harlowton, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present |single line = Yes |collapsed = yes |Jan record high F = 69 |Feb record high F = 74 |Mar record high F = 77 |Apr record high F = 87 |May record high F = 91 |Jun record high F = 99 |Jul record high F = 103 |Aug record high F = 101 |Sep record high F = 98 |Oct record high F = 90 |Nov record high F = 78 |Dec record high F = 66

|Jan low F = 13.3 |Feb low F = 14.1

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00243939&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |access-date = August 5, 2022 }} </ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=byz |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data |access-date = August 5, 2022 }} </ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |align=left |1910= 770 |1920= 1856 |1930= 1473 |1940= 1547 |1950= 1733 |1960= 1734 |1970= 1375 |1980= 1181 |1990= 1049 |2000= 1062 |2010= 997 |2020= 955 |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/> }}

===2010 census=== At the 2010 census,<ref name ="2010 Census">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-18}}</ref> there were 997 people, 478 households and 267 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1719.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 585 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1008.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.4% White, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 478 households, of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.1% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 49.8 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.3% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 26.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

===2000 census=== At the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 1,062 people, 496 households and 281 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,842.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 599 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,039.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.08% White, 0.75% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.

There were 496 households, of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.79.

20.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median household income was $23,636 and the median family income was $34,205. Males had a median income of $22,750 compared with $19,265 for females. The per capita income was $13,717. About 4.7% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy== Agriculture has remained a staple for the local economy. The main products are wheat, barley, oats, hay, cattle, sheep, and honey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/montana|title=United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Montana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://centralmontana.com/montana_counties/wheatland_county/|title=Wheatland County Montana|website=Central Montana}}</ref> There are many businesses supporting the agriculture industry in Harlowton; the Wheatland County Farm Service Agency, veterinary clinics, a feed store, ranch supply store, auto and mechanical shops, hardware stores, and a saddle repair shop.<ref name=":6" />

Major employers are Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, Harlowton High School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Musselshell Ranger District, Midtown Market 2 Grocery Store, Rays Sport and Western Wear, Cream of the West, Rocky Mountain Cookware, TicketPrinting.com, and the Judith Gap Wind Farm.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.harlowtonchamber.com/|title=Harlowton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903233439/http://www.harlowtonchamber.com/|archive-date=2011-09-03}}</ref>

Harlowton and Wheatland County boast an industrial business segment, with some truly unique products from stone to steel griddles, honey for your local pancakes to event tickets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/harlowton.html|title=Harlowton|website=Visit Montana}}</ref> The wide variety of products span the globe. E S Stone & Structure Incorporated <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deq.mt.gov/Portals/112/Public/EA/Documents/hardrock/ESStone/ReaderFinalEALetter.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040357/http://deq.mt.gov/Portals/112/Public/EA/Documents/hardrock/ESStone/ReaderFinalEALetter.PDF |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=live|title=E. S. Stone and Structure, Inc. Operating Permit Amendment|date=November 23, 2010|website=Montana Department of Environmental Quality}}</ref> and Montana Rock and Stone LLP<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manta.com/c/mbyj2bh/montana-rock-and-stone-llp|title=Montana Rock & Stone LLP|website=Stone, Quarrying and Processing}}</ref> have multiple stone quarries around the area from which an extensive line of rock and stone products are produced. Rocky Mountain Cookware manufactures die stamped steel griddles and broilers, it was established in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockymountaincookware.com/|title=Rocky Mountain Cookware, Inc.|website=Rocky Mountain Cookware: Commercial Catering Grills}}</ref> Steve Park Apiaries provides pollination and offers a variety of beeswax and honey products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rockymountainastrologer.com/EverybodysBusiness/mparksapiaryarticle.html|title=Dean Thompson and Steve E. Parks Apiary - Newspaper Article|website=Steve E. Parks Apiaries}}</ref> Cream of the West<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://creamofthewest.com/|title=Cream of the West|website=Whole Grain Cereals}}</ref> whole grain hot cereal was established in 1914 and its production facility was moved<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/business/cream-of-the-west-heads-north/article_fab0f50f-cd78-598e-8d40-f4cdce6d2261.html|title=Cream of the West heads north|last=Falstad|first=Jan|date=January 13, 2003|website=Billings Gazette}}</ref> to Harlowton in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://creamofthewest.com/us/|title=Cream of the West About Us}}</ref> Eventgroove is an SaaS company offering event ticketing and fundraising platforms,<ref>{{Cite web |title=All-in-One Event Ticketing, Fundraising, and Ecommerce Platform |url=https://www.eventgroove.com/ |website=Eventgroove}}</ref> and online printing services for tickets and event products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eventgroove Products |url=https://products.eventgroove.com/ |website=Online Printing Services {{!}} Printing Leaders Since 1997}}</ref> The main printing facility was opened on September 11, 2001 in Harlowton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/harlo-s-online-ticket-company-stays-ahead-of-the-curve/article_b9e94cc0-e641-11df-91fc-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Tickets: Harlo's online ticket company stays ahead of the curve|last=Halstead-Acharya|first=Linda|date=November 2, 2010|website=Billings Gazette}}</ref> [https://products.eventgroove.com/ Eventgroove] is the largest private employer in Wheatland County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ravallirepublic.com/special-section/montana-economy/article_179e8c20-2f39-5665-89c7-3bba37658255.html|title=Employers optimistic about Montana economy in 2013|last=Chaney|first=Rob|date=December 16, 2012|website=Ravalli Republic}}</ref>

==Arts and culture== Harlowton has two museums, the Upper Musselshell Museum and Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum. The Upper Musselshell Museum was founded in 1984 by the Victor Fischer family. It occupies two historic buildings and is filled with rotating displays of the Upper Musselshell's history and paleontology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://harlowtonmuseum.org/OurMuseum.aspx|title=Our Museum|website=Upper Musselshell Museum}}</ref> The Museum centerpiece is a full-size replica of the Avaceratops lammersi dinosaur, the first dinosaur found of its kind.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1688&context=bellwether&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Davaceratops%2520lammersi%2520harlowton%2520mt%26qs%3Dn%26form%3DQBRE%26sp%3D-1%26pq%3Davaceratops%2520lammersi%2520harlowton%2520mt%26sc%3D0-33%26sk%3D%26cvid%3DC4758B0C6A4D4EAC9515CA441ADF3302#search=%22avaceratops%20lammersi%20harlowton%20mt%22|title=Avaceratops lammersi Comes "Home"|date=October 1, 1993|website=Bellwether Magazine; University of Pennsylvania; Volume 1 Issue 35 Article 12}}</ref> The Upper Musselshell Museum is located along Montana's 'Dinosaur Trail' and is open from May until September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mtdinotrail.org/|title=Montana Dinosaur Trail}}</ref>

The Milwaukee Depot Museum train depot was built in 1908, it was a "Standard Class A Passenger Station", one of several standardized depot plans used by the Milwaukee Road. The passenger Service was discontinued in 1961, and the depot and yards were abandoned by the Milwaukee in 1980. The depot was restored as a Milwaukee Railroad museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/museum/harlowton-milwaukee-depot-museum.html|title=Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum|website=Visit Montana}}</ref> Displays focus on the history of the town which includes a rich train history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://harlomilwdepot.org/about/ |publisher=Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref>

Harlowton Public Library serves the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harlowton Public Library |url=http://www.harlowtonlibrary.com/www/index.php |publisher=Harlowton Public Library |access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref>

The Rodeo, Wheatland County Youth Fair, and Harlowton Kiwanis Show are annual events that take place in Harlowton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harlowtonmontana.com/index.php/community-events|title=Harlowton, Montana - Live!|website=Harlowton Community Events}}</ref> Within 100 miles are the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, Charles M. Bair Museum, and Showdown Ski Area.

==Parks and recreation== The Lewis and Clark National Forest offers plenty of acreage for recreational activities; camping, sightseeing, hunting, OHV riding, snowmobiling, etc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/recreation|title=United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Recreation}}</ref> Fishing access sites are located along the Musselshell River or at nearby Deadman's Basin or Martinsdale Reservoir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fwp.mt.gov/export/sites/FwpPublic/gisResources/visitMaps/fas/MusselshellFASGuideMap.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429015557/http://fwp.mt.gov/export/sites/FwpPublic/gisResources/visitMaps/fas/MusselshellFASGuideMap.pdf |archive-date=2014-04-29 |url-status=live|title=Montana.gov Official Website|website=Harlowton Fishing Access Site on the Musselshell River}}</ref>

There are three parks located within Harlowton: Chief Joseph Park, Deer Park, and Fischer Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://harlowtonmontana.com/index.php/parks-museums|title=Harlowton Montana - Live|website=Parks and Museums}}</ref> The old Milwaukee Railroad trackbed has been converted into the “Smoking Boomer” trail. Of special interest are the pioneer bronze sculpture (entitled ''And They Called the Land Montana'') and the Veteran's Honor Wall located in front of the Wheatland County Court House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harlowton-montana.com/|title=Welcome to Harlowton Montana}}</ref>

==Government== Harlowton has a mayor and town council. The council has three wards, each with two council members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor & Council |url=https://harlowton.municipalimpact.com/mayor-and-council |publisher=City of Harlowton |access-date=18 January 2026}}</ref> Jack Runner won the November 2025 election for mayor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Runner (Mayor of Harlowton, Montana, candidate 2025) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Jack_Runner_(Mayor_of_Harlowton,_Montana,_candidate_2025) |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=18 January 2026}}</ref>

==Education== Harlowton Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30107_wheatland/DC20SD_C30107.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007233823/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30107_wheatland/DC20SD_C30107.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-07 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wheatland County, MT|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2022-10-07}}</ref> School District 16 includes the Hillcrest Elementary (K-6) and Harlowton High School (7-12). Harlowton High School's team name is the Engineers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>

In 2023, Harlowton joined with Judith Gap and Ryegate to co-op for high school sports.<ref>{{cite web |title=The state of high school sports co-ops in 2023 |url=https://www.lewistownnews.com/sports/the-state-of-high-school-sports-co-ops-in-2023/article_d131a3de-88c5-11ee-bfe5-9b0136c28d27.html |publisher=Lewistown News-Argus |access-date=8 January 2026}}</ref>

==Media== Harlowton's local newspaper is ''The Times Clarion''. It is published weekly.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Times Clarion (Harlowton, Mont.) 1976-Current |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/sn86075233/ |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref>

==Infrastructure== U.S. Route 12 passes through town from east to west. U.S. Route 191 enters town from the northeast and exits from the southwest.

Wheatland County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport located two miles (4 km) northwest of town.<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=HWQ|use=PU|own=PU|site=12393.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 5, 2012.</ref>

The Judith Gap Wind Farm is located north of Harlowton along US Highway 191.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/landmark/judith-gap-wind-farm-energy-center.html|title=Judith Gap Windfarm/Energy Center|website=Montana’s Official Tourism, Travel & Vacation Information Site}}</ref> There are 90 wind turbines situated on 8000 acres of land that produce 135 Megawatts of power.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Towers in the Wind|last=Peck|first=Harry|publisher=Times Clarion|year=2008|location=Harlowton, Montana|pages=3, 19, 20}}</ref> The Judith Gap Wind farm was established in 2011 and is owned by [https://invenergyllc.com/ Invenergy LLC].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://invenergyllc.com/projects/overview|title=Our Projects|website=Invenergy}}</ref> The power produced by this facility enters the Northwest Energy grid and is distributed where needed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/judith-gap-wind-turbines-go-online/article_bfd7bce7-46ea-56ed-8a21-6768880f87bd.html|title=Judith Gap wind turbines go online|last=Halstead-Acharya|first=Linda|date=December 30, 2005|website=Billings Gazette}}</ref> Other wind farms located near Harlowton are the Musselshell Wind Project by Shawmut,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mortenson.com/wind/projects/musselshell-wind-project|title=Musselshell Wind Project|website=Mortenson}}</ref> the Two Dot Wind Farm by Two Dot,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mortenson.com/wind/projects/two-dot-wind-project|title=Two Dot Wind Project|website=Mortenson}}</ref> and Gordon Butte Wind LLC by Martinsdale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewindpower.net/windfarm_en_18735_gordon-butte.php|title=Gordon Butte (USA)- Windfarm- Online Access|website=The Wind Power}}</ref>

Health facilities include Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, Deer Creek Dental, Remedies Pharmacy, Harlowton Mental Health Center, Public Health & Human Service Department, Massage Therapy, Wheatland County Senior Citizens Center, and Wheatland Memorial Nursing Home. The Wheatland Memorial Healthcare Center has a Clinic, Emergency Room, Laboratory, X-ray, and Physical Therapy Department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheatlandmemorial.org/|title=Wheatland Memorial Healthcare Services|website=Wheatland Memorial Healthcare}}</ref>

==Notable people== * S. Stillman Berry, zoologist, died at Winnecook Ranch, near Harlowton * Thomas Patrick Gerrity, former United States general and commander of the Air Force Logistics Command, was born here.

==See also== {{portal|Montana}} * List of municipalities in Montana

==References== {{reflist|22em}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline|Harlowton, Montana}} * {{Official website|https://harlowton.municipalimpact.com/}}

Category:Cities in Montana Category:Cities in Wheatland County, Montana Category:County seats in Montana Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1900 Category:1900 establishments in Montana