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MINERAL COUNTY. 



Mineral county was created in 1914 from the western part of Missoula county, 

 and hence is one of the newer counties of the state. It is in the extreme western 

 end of the state, next to the Idaho line. The county is of irregular shape, running 

 northwest and southwest, along the Idaho boundary about midway in Montana. It 

 is bounded en the north by Sanders county, the Coeur d'Alene mountains separating 

 the two. On the cast are Sanlers and Missoula counties, on the south and west 

 is Idaho. The Bitter Root mountains frcm the western boundary of Mineral county, 

 separating it from Idaho. Nearly the whole county is in the Lolo National Forest 

 reserve. 



Two railroads traverse the county from end to end, following the irregular 

 direction of the county. They are the Chicago, Milwaukee and St .Paul and the 

 Northern Pacific. These follow the Missoula river for a considerable distance through 

 the center of the county, and then the head waters of the Clark's Fork of the 

 Columbia, to the Idaho line. 



The county, which is generally composed of picturesque ranges of mountains, 

 is practically cut in two by these two rivers and thus contains one of the longest 

 and most fertile valleys of the state, although the valley, in many places is very 

 narrow. Back of this valley there are, in places, benchlands which have been 

 found to be very productive. A steady growth in agriculture on these lands has 

 been noticeable in the pact few years, and many good ranches have come into being. 



The county for many years has been the seat of activity in lumbering and 

 mining, and these are yet the principal industries. The county has many mountain 

 ranges and heavy forests. At St. Regis is located one of the largest saw mills in 

 Montana and at Henderson another big mill is in operation. West of St. Regis 

 the land is heavily timbered and for years to come there will be a supply sufficient 

 to keep the mills running at capacity. 



The mining properties are located near Superior and in the western end near 

 Saltese. The past year about 500 men have been actively engaged in mining and 

 many prospects are being brought into the producing class. 



There is a possibility of development of 20,000 horse power from the swift 

 running Clark's Fork, a tributary of the Columbia and when this is reached, much 

 impetus will be given to the industrial life of the county. 



From the standpoint of scenic beauty and hunting and fishing, the mountains 

 of the county ot'ier a lure to tourists and sportsmen. Good roads and trails lead 

 into the bills and the entire section is easily accessible. The great abundance of 

 timber makes the county cne of the finest camping places in the state. The main 

 automobile road frcm Missoula into Idaho and on to the coast, traverses the entire 

 length of the county, up the Missoula river valley. 



The principal town is Superior, the county seat, with an estimated population of 

 about 400. It is located on the Clark's Fork between mountain ranges and has two 

 weekly newspapers, a bank with more than $100,000 deposits, a number of retail 

 stores, a theater and churches. The schools are excellent. Other towns are De- 

 Borgia, St. Regis and Saltese, all located on the railroad. 



In the development of the county it seems probable that dairying will soon play 

 an important part. The excellent pasturage which the cut over lands of the county 

 furnish, together with the purest water and a never failing market for dairy 

 products, tend to make dairying very remunerative along the Clark's Fork and 

 Missoula rivers. This industry promises to enjoy much growth in the future. More 

 cows are being brought into the county and creameries are planned at the smaller 

 towns, which should open up the industry in good shape. There is also an abundance 

 of hay for winter feeding. 



The estimated population of Mineral county, based upon the school census 

 of 1918 is 2,244. 



All of the land in the county has been surveyed. There is a total area of 

 57,795 acres of unreserved and unappropriated public land at the present time, 

 subject to entry under the homestead laws. In addition to this there are 20,085 

 acres of state land that can be purchased at a low price. The national forests 

 include about 875,000 acres. 



The assessed valuation of Mineral county in 1918 is $4,560,236 including the 

 railroad property which amounted to more than $2,000,000. 



