Back to Richland County Informational Page

History and Topography

Located in eastern Montana, Richland County is Montana’s 20^th most populous county with 9,667 residents, according to the 2000 Census.  Cities and towns in Richland County are Crane, Fairview, Lambert, Savage and Sidney.  Cradled in the outstretched arms of the mighty Missouri to the south and the free flowing Yellowstone to the north, Richland County is the only county in Montana with two major rivers running through it.  Richland County’s 2,103.1 square miles (of which 2084.2 square miles is land and 18.9 square miles is inland water area) are tucked neatly in the heart of the fertile Lower Yellowstone Valley, just a few miles from the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.

The county ranks at or near the top of all Montana counties in a number of agricultural and other production areas, including number one in the production of sugar beets and oats.  The county also ranks second in oil production in the state, and its livestock center is sixth in number of animals handled in the course of a year.  Sidney, the county seat, is the state’s 16^th largest city with a population of 4,774.  Sidney is a major shopping center in Eastern Montana and also attracts many western North Dakota shoppers.  Its exceptional medical facilities add to Richland County’s status as a major retail center for the region.  Sidney is home to the MonDak Heritage Center and Art Gallery, which is known as one of the best small town museums west of the Mississippi.  Anglers enjoy the border waterways of Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota where there are more than 40 fish varieties, including the exotic paddlefish, which can weigh up to 150 pounds.

The area is steeped in the lore of the American West.  Lewis & Clark visited the region in 1805, noted the abundant wildlife and recommended the confluence as a strategic site for the burgeoning fur trade of the time.  Taking their advice to heart, the American Fur Co. established Fort Union Trading Post at the confluence in 1828.  It became the crown jewel of the American fur trade in the mid 1830s and is now a National Historic Site which has been partially restored.  Fort Union was followed in 1866 by Fort Buford, a military post built just about a mile downstream, whose homesteaders flocked to the region aided by the arrival of the railroad.

In 1905 the Bureau of Reclamation was the driving force behind the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project in its beginning process.  During the World War I and World War II there was a shortage of sugar, this gave the Richland County farmers the opportunity to grow sugar beets.  The Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project maintains 72 miles of main canal, 150 mile of laterals, and 150 miles of drains.  The actual construction started in 1926, it served as a model irrigation system across the country.

Agriculture was and remains the principal industry.  With its irrigated bottom land in the southeast and its rolling hills to the west.  The county sports an abundance of arable land and wildlife habitats with its irrigated bottomland in the southeast and its rolling hills to the west.  The majestic Badlands and the rugged river breaks together add to the diversity of the landscape throughout the richness of Richland County.

Top of Page                                    Back to Richland County Informational Page

Climate

Richland County averages 14.4 inches of precipitation during the annually growing season of 140 days.  The clear Sunny skies dominate whatever season it is. The residents within the County can experience the four seasons.  During the month of January the average temperature reaches 3.4 degrees above Fahrenheit, while in July the average temperature can be found at 85.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Oil Production

Richland County is rich in natural resources including oil where it ranks 2^nd in the state in both new and ongoing production according to the Montana Oil & Gas Annual Review 1995, Volume 39.

Top of Page                                       Back to Richland County Informational Page

Transportation

Big Sky Airlines

Big Sky Airline serves area residents at the Richland-Sidney Airport, located just south of Sidney with three daily flights each to and from Billings on Monday through Friday, with one flight in and one out on Saturday and Sunday.  One December 1, 1998 their service will expand to include one daily flight to and from Bismarck, North Dakota, Monday through Friday, with no flights on weekends; and the Billings flights will decrease from three flights to two on week days and stay the same for weekends. Big Sky Airlines flies six planes with a 19 person capacity each. The airport offers a 5,700-foot lighted, hard surface runway, and the spacious, modern terminal was built in the early 1980s. Private aircraft storage is also available.

Richland Aviation

Also at Richland-Sidney Airport, Richland Aviation is a full service, Fixed Base Operation offering air charter, aerial photography, aerial application, air freight, flight instruction and aircraft rental and sales. Its maintenance department is experienced in major and minor airframe and power plant repair, including complete overhaul for small aircraft through corporate jets. They have an FAA qualified examiner on staff who is qualified to administer private through airline transport pilot ratings.  They offer round the clock service seven days a week.

Bus Services

Rimrock Trailways provides a bus service in Glendive, which is located approximately one hour south of Sidney.  For more information:

Fare & Schedule Information:  (800) 255-7655

Local Terminal in Glendive:  (406) 365-2600

C&L Chariots is a chartered bus service available in and around Richland County.

(406) 488-4015

Rail

Freight Service:  

     Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Passenger Train Services

     Amtrak provides passenger train service which is only 45 minutes away in Williston, ND.  Information available at :

Reservations & Scheduling: 800/872-7245

Local Terminal in Williston:  701/572-7171

Highway Distances to Major Cities