PHILLIPS COUNTY. 



Phillips is one of the newest counties in the state, having been created in 

 February, 1915, from the eastern portion of Blaine county and the western portion 

 of Valley county. It has for its northern boundary the Dominion of Canada and 

 the Missouri river forms its southern boundary. It is situated about midway 

 between the Rocky Mountains and the North Dakota line. 



The county has been rapidly settling during the last five years, very few home- 

 steaders having ccme before 1913. They have come in so rapidly that there is at 

 the present time very little hemestead land desirable for agricultural purposes, 

 although there is still a gocd deal of land left. The dry land farming produces the 

 greatest income and the county is dotted everywhere with the homesteaders' cabins 

 where dry land methods are used. Those who have made a careCul study of dry 

 farming methods are making a very ccmfortable living. Many people who came to 

 Phillips county five years ago, with nothing, are now estimated to be worth from 

 $5,C00 to $15,000. 



This county is in the central part of the Milk River Irrigation Project which 

 when completed will water a total acreage of 220,000 acres. Phillips county lias 

 approximately r <2,0C0 acres capable of irrigaticn. The natural How of the Milk 

 river is supplemented by water stored en St. Mary's river in the edge of Glacier 

 Park and diverted from that river to the Milk river. Storage is also provided at 

 Nelson reservoir,, located in a natural basin between Malta and Saco. This water, 

 though brought a leng distance, iurnishes an adequate supply during the hot dry days 

 when it is needed. Under the irrigation ditch there are always good crops. 



The Little Rock Mountains are situated in the southwestern part of the county 

 and rival the big Rockies lor scenery. It is here that the mines of Phillips county 

 are located. Ihe county has four mines producing gold and silver and they are 

 of much importance, ranking secend in these metals in the state and seventh in 

 value of total production of minerals. The Whitccme Mining Mills are situated in the 

 Little Rockies and are considered the second largest cyanide plant in the United 

 States. 



The percentage of sunshine in Phillips county is very large. The weather 

 reports show seme days in the winter to be cold by the themometer, but the 

 residents know that these days are bright with sunshine. Forty degrees below zero 

 in Montana is not as cold as fifteen below in a damper climate. Many of the old 

 settlers and ranchers graze their cattle cut during most of the winter months. 



Malta, the county seat, is a modern town in every respect. It has experienced 

 a very material growth since becoming a county seat and now has a population 

 of approximately 1.5C0. It is one of the most important trading points in northern 

 Montana and supplies the needs of the settlers within an area of 3,000 square 

 miles. Other important towns in the county are Saco in the eastern part and 

 Dodson in the western part, both now being incorporated and being trading points 

 for a large area in their respective parts o; the county. 



The town of Bowdoin, situated on the shores of Bowdoin Lake has grown like 

 magic. The Great Northern railroad has recently made it a division point and has 

 a twenty-five stall roundhouse and extensive yards at this place The town 

 promises within a year or two to become the metropolis of the county. 



Considerable drilling is being done in the county for oil and the indications for 

 striking oil are excellent. A large district, comprising twenty-eight townships, most 

 of it located in Phillips county, has been withdrawn by the federal government as 

 good oil territory. 



On account of the rapid immigration into this county, the population can only 

 be estimated. The War Department basing its estimate upon the military registra- 

 tion, gives the county 26,6C9 people. 



Phillips county, which is in the Havre and Glasgow land districts embraces an 

 area of 5.266 square miles, including 1,325,9*1 acres of surveyed and unsurveyed, 

 unappropriated public lands available for entry under the homestead laws, 143,342 

 acres of state land, and 29,240 acres of national forests. 



The assessed valuation of the county in 1918 is $7,083,585 including the rail- 

 road property. 



