Havre

History

Havre was incorporated in north-central Montana on September 5, 1893. In August 1893, twenty-six people voted to incorporate Havre as a city on September 5 of that year. The townsite was platted south of the railroad tracks on parts of Descelles’ and Simon Pepin’s ranches. Like many railroad towns, Havre’s streets were set in a grid formation, with the east–west orientation of the railroad serving as the northern boundary of the town running parallel to the south by Main Street, which fronted the railroad tracks, followed by First through Third Streets. The avenues ran perpendicular to the tracks with Third Avenue running south from the Great Northern depot. The depot served as the gateway to the commercial district of Havre. First Street between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue served as the main commercial street, and Third Avenue became the main avenue. The buildings in Havre during the 1890s were typical first-generation structures and mainly consisted of tar papered wood-framed shacks. Built close together, these buildings were false-fronted and one story high, with a few scattered one-and-a-half and two-story buildings, like the Windsor Hotel on the south side of First Street between Third and Fourth Avenues.

Along with its annex, the Windsor, at two stories, was the tallest building on First Street until brick structures were constructed in the mid-1890s. Havre had many businesses typical of a frontier town including saloons, barbers, restaurants, Chinese laundries, cobblers, bakeries, mercantiles, hardware stores, and hotels. Havre was founded primarily to serve as a major railroad service center for the Great Northern Railway built by James J. Hill with the city's location midway between Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul. A statue of Hill stands near the Havre Amtrak station to commemorate the key contributions his railroad has made to Havre's and Montana's history. Next to the station on display is Great Northern S-2 Class #2584, a 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive that served the station while it was in passenger service.

Originally named "Bullhook Bottoms", the town held a series of meetings to determine a new name. The original settlers were given the final decision, and due to a strong French influence, the town was renamed "Havre". To decide on a new name, the town held a meeting. Though that first meeting ended in a brawl, the second meeting was more successful. There, the citizenry agreed that only the original five homesteaders, Gus Decelles, Exzelia James Pepin (nephew of Simon Pepin), Tom McDevitt, Joe Demars and Charlie Goutchie would be allowed to vote. After several suggestions, including "France" to acknowledge their common heritage, Gus Decelles then suggested Havre after his parents’ hometown of Le Havre, France. "Havre", which means "the haven or harbor", won the vote.

Geography

Havre is located in eastern Hill County, on the Milk River. U.S. Route 2 (1st Street) is the main road through the city, running east to west near the city's northern border. Route 2 leads east 87 miles (140 km) to Malta and west 102 miles (164 km) to Shelby and Interstate 15. U.S. Route 87 has its northern terminus in West Havre, 3 miles (5 km) west of downtown Havre. US 87 leads southwest 110 miles (180 km) to Great Falls. Montana Secondary Highway 234 leads south from the center of Havre 30 miles (48 km) to the Bear Paw Ski Bowl in the Bears Paw Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Havre has a total area of 3.28 square miles (8.50 km2), all land.

Climate

Havre experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with long, cold, dry winters and hot summers with cool nights. Winter weather can vary greatly from brutal cold when Arctic air moves in from Canada, to temperatures far above 32 °F or 0 °C due to chinook winds – for instance the coldest month (and only one to never top freezing) of January 1916 averaged −13.3 °F or −25.2 °C and February 1936 during a notorious cold wave −12.8 °F or −24.9 °C, but February 1954 averaged as high as 37.1 °F or 2.8 °C and January 1919, 34.1 °F or 1.2 °C. The hottest temperature recorded in Havre is 111 °F or 43.9 °C on August 5, 1961, and the coldest −57 °F or −49.4 °C on January 27, 1916.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Havre had a population of 9,362. The median age was 34.6 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.3 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,880 households in Havre, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.3% were married-couple households, 22.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,478 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 16.1%.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,310 people, 3,900 households, and 2,293 families living in the city. The population density was 2,838.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,095.9/km2). There were 4,285 housing units at an average density of 1,306.4 per square mile (504.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.6% White, 0.4% African American, 13.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,900 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 33.9 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,621 people, 4,015 households, and 2,449 families living in the city. The population density was 2,778.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,072.7/km2). There were 4,400 housing units at an average density of 1,270.6 per square mile (490.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.08% White, 0.11% African American, 9.01% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 4,015 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,944, and the median income for a family was $38,870. Males had a median income of $30,401 versus $19,189 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,847. About 14.8% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The H. Earl Clack Museum has exhibits on Native American history, pioneer life, and the Great Northern Railway. It is part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. More early Montana history can be seen at Fort Assinniboine, one of the oldest and largest Army installations in Montana. Self-guided walking tour maps for both the historic residential and business districts are available from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Outdoor recreation can be found in all seasons. Beaver Creek Park claims to be the largest county park in the United States. It covers over 10,000 acres and offers fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Bear Paw Ski Bowl, 30 miles south of town, has 24 downhill runs.

Havre has a public library, the Havre-Hill County Library.

Points of interest

LORAN-C transmitter Havre

Big Bud 747, the world's largest farm tractor

Wahkpa Chu'gn, a buffalo jump archaeological site, open to visitors

The Havre Underground, a tourist attraction in the historic under city

Government

Havre has a mayor and city council. The council consists of eight members representing four wards. Wade Bitz was elected mayor in 2025. He replaced Doug Kaercher who did not run for re-election.

Education

The city is served by Havre Public Schools, which operates Havre High School, S.U.N.S. Alternative High School, Havre Middle School, and three elementary schools.

Higher education is provided at the Montana State University-Northern campus.

The city hosts one private school within city limits, Saint Judes Thaddeus School; it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls–Billings.

Local media

Radio

KOJM AM 610/FM 98.3 (Classic Hits)

KNMC FM 90.1 (College Radio)

KPQX FM 92.5 (Country)

KPQX-HD2 (Legendary Country)

KPQX-HD3 (The Rock)

KXEI FM 95.1 (Christian)

KRYK FM 101.3 (Hot Adult contemporary)

KRYK-HD2 (CHR/Pop)

KRYK-HD3 (CBS Sports Radio)

Television

Stations available from the Great Falls market:

KRTV Ch. 3 (CBS)

KTGF-LD Ch. 50 (NBC)

KUGF-TV Ch. 21 (PBS)

KFBB Ch. 5 (ABC/Fox)

Satellite television providers are available to the entire area, and cable service comes from Charter Cable.

Newspapers

The Havre Weekly Chronicle is regionally available. Its circulation is 3,500 papers published weekly. It has a full online edition by subscription, as well as some free content online. The larger Great Falls Tribune is also available in most areas. The Havre Herald was a free online site for local news that ran from 2018 to mid-2020.

Transportation

Havre is located on the Northern Transcon of the BNSF Railway; Amtrak's Empire Builder stops at Havre station daily. Havre City–County Airport is a public use airport located three miles (4.8 km) west of Havre. North Central Montana Transit provides limited bus service to Great Falls, Montana, the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, Harlem, Montana, and Fort Belknap, Montana.