JEFFERSON COUNTY

County Offices
Boulder 406-225-4020
http://www.jeffersoncounty-mt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
Boulder 406-465-2106
https://www.bouldermtchamber.org

Jefferson County was named after US president Thomas Jefferson after its founding in 1865. The county is home to 12,000 residents who enjoy a quite pace of life in this rural area. Much like many of the regions in this part of Montana, mining drew people to the area.

Lifestyle
Jefferson County has something for everyone; from rivers for floating and fishing, to hiking and climbing in the Elkhorn Mountain range, and a large motorized and non-motorized trail system. Boulder, High Ore and Basin are home to several radon health mines, ghost towns, Boulder Hot Springs, and Whitehall hosts Frontier Days every July. The county fair is held in Boulder in August. Jefferson County abounds with natural resources and its economy is based around these, including production agriculture, wood products and mining. Jefferson County is also home to more than 550,000 acres of public land, offering those who look for outdoor adventure and unlimited supply of opportunities.  The Jefferson County Recreation Park, located just south of Boulder off Highway 69, is also home to the Jefferson County ‘A Fair of the Heart’ and the Jefferson County Rodeo. The Park is open to the public throughout the year and, has picnic tables, swings, a volleyball court and a miniature golf course. It is the kind of place where locals come to spend time with family and friends.

For those not looking to do anything to adventurous, there is always a stroll through town and spending time doing a little local shopping in one of the county’s communities. There is nothing more relaxing than hanging out with family and friends at a local eatery. If shopping is more of an adventure, there are plenty of shops selling unique local goods created by residents and local artisans. Jefferson County offers a rural lifestyle to its residents that is enhanced by amazing natural beauty.

Services
The educational opportunities are abundant with a variety of public, private, and charter schools. The local school districts continually rank highly among the states schools and offer students varied learning opportunities from traditional education through vocational and advanced placement courses. Jefferson High School District #1 encompasses a geographic area of approximately 1100 square miles situated in the northern half of Jefferson County. The district high school is located in the City of Boulder and draws students from Basin, Clancy, Jefferson City and Montana City in addition to Boulder. Easy access is available to the larger cities of Helena, Butte and Bozeman. There is a comprehensive Career and Technical Education program for students with classes in Culinary Arts, Welding, Woods, Small Engines, Drafting, CADD, Child Development, Web Design, Computer Applications, Small Business Development, Keyboarding and more. Students participate in Vocational Student Organizations. The Skills USA program has had students qualify for nationals for the last sixteen years.  Students are able to take con-current enrollment classes in Literature, Biology, Spanish and Welding, earning both high school and college credit.  A comprehensive extra-curricular program is provided to students. Athletics include cross country, football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, track, and girl’s tennis. Access to higher education is available through online resources and in nearby Butte or Helena.

While Jefferson County may offer newcomers a breathtaking environment of unspoiled natural beauty, the healthcare services are highly developed. Serving the community’s health needs is St. James Healthcare in Butte, about 20 minutes away. This hospital is dedicated to delivering the personalized care of a community hospital in an atmosphere of advanced technology for the best of all worlds. Comprehensive services include critical care, family practice and urgent care, social services, surgical specialties, laboratory and state-of-the-art imaging, immediate care, and family-centered maternity. In addition to diagnostics and treatment, the hospital takes a proactive approach to health and wellness through community educational programs, special events, and public health screenings.

Boulder
City Offices
406-225-3381

Chamber of Commerce
406-465-2106
https://www.bouldermtchamber.org/

Is the seat of Jefferson County and located in a beautiful valley surrounded by magnificent mountains halfway between Helena and Butte. Boulder features a host of opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking. Home to the world famous Boulder Hot Springs Inn, Spa and Retreat Center, famous for its Radon health mine. Other radon health mines in boulder including the Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine and Sunshine Health Mine. Every August Boulder is the site of the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo held the last weekend of the month.  Boulders location is ideal for residents looking to be in the heart of it all in the county. Natural beauty surrounds the area and the community offers a high quality, rural lifestyle. The city hosts many activities throughout the year. The Boulder Farmer’s Market offers up local produce, meat and crafts every Thursday from July to September. Every September the Chamber of Commerce hosts a Music and Art Festival which showcases local and statewide performers, as well as displays by local artists. The Fiddle Fest, the Boulder Car Show, and the Christmas Bazaar round out the list of Boulder’s biggest events. The events all offer unique and local, one-of-a-kind fare that make living in Boulder enjoyable. Residents have access to everything they need close to home, with local restaurants and shops, as well as national chains. And with Butte or Helena a short drive away, residents have plenty of choices.   A number of state parks lie within an hour’s drive of Boulder, most notably Elkhorn State Park. This ghost town from Montana’s silver boom has excellent examples of frontier architecture and beautiful hiking and picnicking sites. Residents of this small community enjoy an enviable lifestyle with affordable housing.

Whitehall
Town Offices
406-287-3972
http://townofwhitehall.org/

Chamber of Commerce
406-287-2260
http://whitehallchamberofcommerce.com/

A typical small Montana town, Whitehall sits in the heart of the Deerlodge National Forest. Whitehall is within a short distance of three major airports, four colleges, five ski resorts, seven major rivers, mountain lakes for fishing and backpacking, four lakes for boating, and three hot springs. There are numerous snowmobiling trails for winter riding and summer trail rides. The mountain ranges surround the valley, which is excellent for big game hunting.  The town is home to a little over 1200 residents. The community plays host to several annual events, including the Annual Frontier Days celebration is the last weekend of July. The event includes two big nights of NRA rodeo action, a parade, street dance, vendors in the park, custom car show and more. Residents can enjoy a day in the mountains or spend their time in one of the shops or restaurants in town. Whitehall is nestled in the Jefferson Valley in the shadows of the Tobacco Root and Highland Mountain ranges and is home of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals. More than a dozen stunning large murals depicting scenes of the Lewis & Clark Expedition as they traversed what later became the Jefferson Valley adorn contemporary and historic Whitehall Buildings. The Jefferson Valley Museum has historic artifacts inside and outside starting with Whitehall’s birth in the 1890s. The museum documents the towns close historical ties with railroads, mining, and agriculture, and contains several examples of actual garments worn in days gone by. Golden Sunlight Mine, the largest open pit hard rock mine in Montana, can be viewed north of town and the beautiful Jefferson River -containing large trout and marvelous views-runs south and west of Whitehall with several easy access points. Whitehall is a small community where neighbors know each other and take care of each other. Everyone has a strong sense of community and that is reflected in day to day life.