Residents do not have electricity or any form of communication other than mail or media other than newspapers. Candles and whale oil lamps are used for lighting at night. From May through October, the population is just under 100, but during the colder months it falls to the single digits because there are no ways to warm up unless one has a woodstove or coal stove.[7]
History
In the mid to late 1800s, coal, oil, and mineral exploration made the North Fork area of Montana attractive to settlers resulting in a wagon road along the valley on east side of the North Fork Flathead River and bridge over the river, bringing in more settlers.[8] The unknown and original settlers Polebridge and the surrounding land arrived in the 1890s; However, more arrived after the valley land east of the North Fork Flathead River became Glacier National park in 1910 and settling was no longer allowed there.[8] Among the settlers in Polebridge was an entreprenuer by the name of William 'Bill' L. Adair who aquired a 160 acre plot just outisde of after taking advantage of the United States Homestead Acts. He built a cabin in 1912 that would later become the Northern Lights Saloon, and in 1914, he built a general store, The Polebridge Mercantile or the 'Merc'.[8][9]
The Merc quickly became a central meeting location for homesteaders scattered within the 900 square mile area of the North Fork Valley as the store provided necessary products and services, including postal services until 2001, and was the only general store in the valley. Three additional buildings were constructed that would become part of the W.L Adair General Mercantile Historical District: the log Ice House (1914), the Log Barn (1917), and the wood frame Machine Shed/Shop (1925). Later, more structures were added to the Polebridge community: four wood frame cabins (1945), a greenhouse (1968), a generator building (1969), a propane tank shelter (1982), and four outhouses (years unknown). In 1983 the District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places after Karen Feather, owner of the Northern Lights Saloon at the time,[10] and Jerry DeSanto, a Polebridge Sub-District Ranger with the NPS, completed the nomintation form.[8][9]
Another notable historic event involving Polebridge was the Red Bench Fire that almost destroyed the entire community on September 7, 1988. The fire "destroyed 25 homes, the Polebridge Ranger Station, the community's namesake 'pole bridge,' and consumed numerous barns and outbuildings".[10]
Today Polebridge is popular addition to the itineraries of tourists visiting Glacier National Park and the surrounding area because of its historical significance and off-the-grid way of life.
Climate
Climate data for Polebridge, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, 1933-2020 extremes: 3520ft (1073m)
Demographic Summary (based on 2022 Census Data)[14]
Category
Value
Unit of Measurement
Margin of Error (±%)
Total Population
31
people
at least 10% of the total value
Density
265.3
people per square mile
N/A
Age
65≤
years of age
at least 10% of the total value
Sex
52% Male
N/A
at least 10% of the total value
Race & Ethnicity
100% White
N/A
at least 10% of the total value
Average Houshold Income
<50k
U.S. Dollars
at least 10% of the total value
Households
16
N/A
N/A
Marital Status
100% Now Married
N/A
at least 10% of the total value
Educational Attainment
100% High school grad or higher
N/A
at least 10% of the total value
Population with Veteran Status
51.6%
N/A
at least 10% of the total value
Things to Do
Polebridge Mercantile
Polebridge Mercantile is a general store offering a variety of items to purchase including souvenirs, gas and automotive supplies, groceries, cleaning supplies, and more. There is a full deli and bakery inside as well that sells their signature Huckleberry Bear Claw pastry.[9]
Polebridge Outfitters
Polebridge Outfitters offers summer recreation opportunities. The business rents out electric bikes, paddleboards, single/double kayaks, and the associated safety equipment.[9]
Northern Lights Saloon
This saloon is a bar and restaurant that offers live music and events in the summer. It is also a wedding venue.[15]
Although the lake is located in Glacier National Park, it is only a 30 minute drive from Polebridge.[5]
Polebridge Mercantile Cabins
According to their website Polebridge Mercantile cabins offers rustic accomodations ranging in price from $59 to $179 per night exculding tax. They offer a choice of four different cabins (in order of largest to smallest): Bowman Cabin, Kintla Cabin, Logging Cabin, and Quartz Cabin.[9]
The North Fork Hostel and Square Peg Ranch offers "quiet and rustic accommodations" in Polebridge. Guests have seven rental options: Square Peg Ranch, Goat Chalet, Klondike Kate's (cabin), Green Zucchini (small homemade trailer), The Hostel (a private family room or a mixed dorm), or Camping and Tipi.[16]
See also
Glacier View Dam, proposed in the 1940s, which would have inundated Polebridge
