Malta, Montana

Malta (/ˈmɔːltə/ ⓘ MAWL-tə) is a city in, and the county seat of, Phillips County, Montana, United States,[3] located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 2 and 191. The population was 1,860 at the 2020 census.[4]

Malta
City
Downtown Malta from the Empire Builder
Downtown Malta from the Empire Builder
Location of Malta, Montana
Location of Malta, Montana
Coordinates: 48°21′20″N 107°52′13″W
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyPhillips
Area
[1]
 • Total1.07 sq mi (2.78 km2)
 • Land1.07 sq mi (2.78 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
2,257 ft (688 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,860
 • Density1,731.84/sq mi (668.95/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59538
Area code406
FIPS code30-47425
GNIS feature ID2410916[2]
Websitewww.cityofmalta.com

History

After James Hill and his partners built the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba railway (which in 1890 became the Great Northern Railway) across Montana's "High Line" in 1887,[5] Malta evolved from rail siding number 54. What came to be Saco, Montana, to the east and Dodson, Montana, to the west grew from other nearby sidings. A post office was established in Malta in 1890. Its name is said to have been determined by a spin of the globe by a Great Northern official whose finger came to rest on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.[6]

On July 3, 1901, Kid Curry (Harvey Logan), as part of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, robbed a train just west of Malta, near Wagner, Montana,[7] making off with about $40,000.[8]

One of the best preserved dinosaurs ever discovered and one of only four that were fossilized is a 77-million-year-old Brachylophosaurus nicknamed Leonardo, unearthed north of Malta in 2000.[9][10] Leonardo,[11] together with brachylophosaurs Elvis[12] (1994), Roberta[13] (2003) and Peanut[14] (2002), is on display at The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum.

Geography
Merge of US2 and US191 in Malta

Malta is on the High Plains of Montana. The Little Rocky Mountains are located south of the town while the Milk River flows north of town. The City of Malta gets water from wells. The well water is pumped to two water tanks located at the top of a residential area known as Hillcrest. The water is treated to meet safety standards, then it enters the city water distribution system.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.06 square miles (2.75 km2), all land.[15]

Climate

Malta experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with long, cold, dry winters and hot, wetter summers.

Climate data for Malta, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19)		 75
(24)		 86
(30)		 92
(33)		 97
(36)		 107
(42)		 109
(43)		 109
(43)		 106
(41)		 91
(33)		 81
(27)		 75
(24)		 109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 54.8
(12.7)		 56.9
(13.8)		 69.0
(20.6)		 80.1
(26.7)		 86.8
(30.4)		 94.9
(34.9)		 99.3
(37.4)		 99.6
(37.6)		 94.5
(34.7)		 82.5
(28.1)		 66.9
(19.4)		 55.6
(13.1)		 101.9
(38.8)
Average high °F (°C) 29.2
(−1.6)		 32.8
(0.4)		 44.0
(6.7)		 56.4
(13.6)		 66.1
(18.9)		 75.4
(24.1)		 85.5
(29.7)		 85.2
(29.6)		 73.7
(23.2)		 57.9
(14.4)		 42.6
(5.9)		 32.1
(0.1)		 56.7
(13.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 17.5
(−8.1)		 21.1
(−6.1)		 31.6
(−0.2)		 43.4
(6.3)		 53.1
(11.7)		 62.6
(17.0)		 70.3
(21.3)		 69.1
(20.6)		 58.1
(14.5)		 44.2
(6.8)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 20.6
(−6.3)		 43.5
(6.4)
Average low °F (°C) 5.8
(−14.6)		 9.3
(−12.6)		 19.3
(−7.1)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 40.0
(4.4)		 49.9
(9.9)		 55.1
(12.8)		 53.0
(11.7)		 42.6
(5.9)		 30.4
(−0.9)		 18.3
(−7.6)		 9.1
(−12.7)		 30.3
(−1.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −24.0
(−31.1)		 −15.7
(−26.5)		 −4.6
(−20.3)		 14.7
(−9.6)		 25.3
(−3.7)		 37.8
(3.2)		 45.1
(7.3)		 40.7
(4.8)		 27.8
(−2.3)		 12.5
(−10.8)		 −6.2
(−21.2)		 −17.1
(−27.3)		 −31.5
(−35.3)
Record low °F (°C) −51
(−46)		 −45
(−43)		 −35
(−37)		 −6
(−21)		 14
(−10)		 29
(−2)		 35
(2)		 32
(0)		 15
(−9)		 −10
(−23)		 −32
(−36)		 −51
(−46)		 −51
(−46)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.27
(6.9)		 0.24
(6.1)		 0.50
(13)		 1.07
(27)		 2.42
(61)		 2.70
(69)		 1.87
(47)		 1.21
(31)		 1.09
(28)		 0.98
(25)		 0.37
(9.4)		 0.23
(5.8)		 12.95
(329.2)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.6
(17)		 6.4
(16)		 4.1
(10)		 2.7
(6.9)		 0.6
(1.5)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.4
(3.6)		 4.8
(12)		 5.6
(14)		 32.2
(81)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 3.4 2.8 3.9 5.9 8.7 9.6 7.8 5.0 5.2 4.5 3.2 3.2 63.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.9 3.4 2.6 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 2.3 3.4 17.7
Source 1: NOAA[16]
Source 2: National Weather Service[17]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1910433—
19201,427229.6%
19301,342−6.0%
19402,21565.1%
19502,095−5.4%
19602,33911.6%
19702,195−6.2%
19802,3677.8%
19902,340−1.1%
20002,120−9.4%
20101,997−5.8%
20201,860−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]

2020 census

As of the census[19] of 2020, there were 1,860 people, 912 households, and (not yet available) families residing in the city. There were 1,016 housing units, of which 857 were occupied. The racial makeup of the city was 1,564 (84.1%) White, 1 African American, 88 (4.7%) Native American, 9 (0.5%) Asian, 46 (2.5%) from other races, and 152 (8.2%) from two or more races. There were 70 (3.8%) Hispanic or Latino.

47.8% of households were married couples living together, 26% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.5% had a male householder with no wife present. The average family size was 2.98.

50.9% were married, not separated, 12.9% widowed, 9.8% divorced, and 26.3% never married (29.8% in MT overall).

The median age was 51.4 (compared to 40.5 in MT overall), 5.6% were under 5 years, 21.4% were under 18, 78.6% were 18 and older, and 27.6% were 65 and older (19.5% in MT). 44.7% claimed German ancestry, 21.3% Norwegian ancestry, and 16.7% Irish ancestry. 12.8% were veterans.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,189 ($57,153 in MT overall), and the median income for a family was $52,974. Males had a median income of $30,117 versus $18,636 for females. About 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line (12.6% in MT overall), including 1.6% of those under age 18, 13.7% of those 18 - 64, and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

18.6% of residents had a Bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 33.6% in MT overall.

2010 census

As of the census[20] of 2010, there were 1,997 people, 902 households, and 539 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,884.0 inhabitants per square mile (727.4/km2). There were 1,006 housing units at an average density of 949.1 per square mile (366.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.2% White, 0.1% African American, 5.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 902 households, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 2,120 people, 907 households, and 565 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,006.1 inhabitants per square mile (774.6/km2). There were 1,067 housing units at an average density of 1,009.7 per square mile (389.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.83% White, 0.05% African American, 4.67% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 907 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,212, and the median income for a family was $41,422. Males had a median income of $30,117 versus $18,636 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,405. About 8.8% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Malta Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.[22] Malta High School's team name is the Mustangs/Mustangettes.[23]

Arts and culture
The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta

Two stops on The Montana Dinosaur Trail are located in Malta. They are: the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station and the Phillips County Museum.

The Great Plains museum is also home to the Judith River Dinosaur Institute.[24] The Institute provides the opportunity for others to participate in an educational dinosaur dig or take a fossil preparation course. In June the museum has the Montana Dinosaur Festival.[25] The Festival includes adult and children's activities focused around paleontology.

The Phillips County Museum has local history information including artifacts from Native American culture, cowboys and outlaws, and pioneer life.[26] On site is also the H.G. Robinson House and Gardens. The house is one of the earliest homes in Malta.

The Phillips County Carnegie Library is the public library in Malta.[27] The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Infrastructure
Amtrak station

U.S. Route 2 travels through town from east to west while U.S. Route 191 travels north to south.

Amtrak's Empire Builder, running between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, stops daily in Malta.[28]

The Malta Airport is a public use airport serving the town.[29]

Media

The Phillips County News is a weekly local newspaper.[30] They provide a printed paper as well as news online.

The radio station KMMR FM 100.1 (Country music) is licensed in Malta.[31]

Notable people
  • Greg Hertz, served in Montana Congress
  • Karl Ohs, 28th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Montana

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Malta, Montana
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Italy. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  5. Malone, Michael P.; Richard B. Roeder (1976). Montana: A History of Two Centuries, page 135. University of Washington Press. p. 352. ISBN 0-295-95520-1.
  6. "Malta Montana Information". Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  7. Kid Curry Archived 2007-11-08 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman Archived 2009-10-08 at the Wayback Machine. Montana Historical Society Press.
  9. "Mummified" Dinosaur Discovered In Montana
  10. Dear Mummy: Rare fossil reveals common dinosaur's soft tissue: Science News Online, Oct. 19, 2002
  11. Montana Leonardo dinosaur discovery: Brachylophosaurus - Judith River Dinosaur Institute Archived 2008-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Brachylophosaurus Dinosaur discovery: Judith River Dinosaur Institute Archived 2008-09-08 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Brachylophosaurus Dinosaur - Roberta discovery: Judith River Dinosaur Institute Archived 2007-09-08 at the Wayback Machine
  14. Brachylophosaurus Dinosaur - Peanut discovery: Judith River Dinosaur Institute Archived 2007-08-10 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  16. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Malta 35 S, MT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  17. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Glasgow". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  18. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. "Malta Public Schools". Malta Public Schools. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  23. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  24. "Judith River Dinosaur Institute". Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  25. Wipf, Briana (June 3, 2015). "Malta dinosaur museum hosts annual festival". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  26. "Home page". Phillips County Museum & H.G. Robinson House & Gardens. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  27. "Phillips County Library". Montana State Library. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  28. "Empire Builder". Amtrak. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  29. "M75 Malta". FAA. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  30. "News". Phillips County News. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  31. "KMMR". FCC. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

Further reading
  • Malone, Michael P.; Richard B. Roeder (1976). Montana: A History of Two Centuries. University of Washington Press. p. 352. ISBN 0-295-95520-1.
  • Murphy, N.L., D. Trexler, and M. Thompson. 2002. Exceptional soft-tissue preservation in a mummified ornithopod dinosaur from the Campanian Lower Judith River Formation. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meeting. Oct. 9-12. Norman, Okla.
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