27. Richland County

In 1914, the Montana Legislature took the northern part of Dawson County (16) to create a new county extending south from the Missouri River along the North Dakota state line.  Because of its location as a gateway to Montana, the name Gate County was originally proposed for the new creation, but in the interest of attracting settlers, county residents chose the name Richland.  And for much of the past ninety-eight years, the land has proven to be prosperous.  Unlike much of eastern Montana, Richland County has retained most of its population in the years since it was first created.  The 1920 U.S. Census counted 8,989 county residents and the 2010 Census showed 9,746. up almost 1% from the 2000 count.  In fact, for most of its life, Richland County has had a relatively stable population of 10,000, give or take 500.  An anomalous census count in 1980 showed 12,243 county residents, due to an oil boom in the 1970s but that figure dropped back to 10,716 by 1990 as the oil bubble burst. Should the development of the Bakken Oil Fields currently underway continue through this decade, I have no doubt that the 2020 Census will show a considerable increase over the 2010 figures.  It is almost impossible to find a place to live in the county today, as every available space has been claimed by oil field workers, and new construction is proceeding apace.

Over half the population of the county lives in Sidney, the County Seat.  Sidney's 2010 U.S. Census counted 5,191 residents of the city locals call "Montana's Sunrise City."  (It is, after all, the city closest to Montana's eastern border, although there are towns further east, indeed Fairview, also in Richland County, which sits right on the state line and is considered the Sugar Beet Capitol of both Montana and North Dakota.)  The U.S. Post Office was established in 1888, and given the name Sidney for a six year old boy who was visiting the area at the time.  When Richland County came into being, Sidney was named County Seat.  Its population grew relatively steadily until the oil boom and bust created anomalous growth as shown in the 1980 census, and once again, like the county it serves, Sidney is growing with the current interest in oil.  Revenues from the current boom have allowed the county to construct a new justice center in town, and the lovely court house is being completely renovated.  I thank the powers of historic preservation that Richland County did not choose to demolish the grand old building and replace it with a modern box.

The Richland County Court House, Sidney, Montana

While visiting Sidney in August, 2011, I had several interesting experiences.  First, I paid more for my motel room than I have paid anywhere, including San Francisco which is notorious for being an expensive city.  Second, I had what I consider a unique adventure when, while having dinner in the town's only Chinese restaurant, all conversation around me proceeded in Spanish.  Finally, when I asked local residents what they considered the most photogenic place in Richland County, the one place they would want outsiders to know about, every single person I asked replied "Richland Park."  I hunted down the park (it's not an easy place to find, in my opinion), and I have to wonder what the locals find so enticing about what appeared to be a muddy river bank with little to no grass.  I took pictures, but I won't include them here as I found many places much more worth recording as I traveled the county's back roads--but then that's just my opinion.

Storm Clouds above the Yellowstone River Bluffs

Richland County covers 2,103 square miles, most of which is used for agriculture.  With the Missouri River as the county's northern boundary, and the Yellowstone River crossing the county south to north along its eastern edge, there is no shortage of water for irrigation.  Important crops include grains, sugar beets, corn, beans and hay, according to the county's website.  A new crop, showing up in almost every available field, would seem to be oil pumps, and these are fairly ubiquitous throughout the county.  While no federal highway brings traffic to or through the county, Montana Highway 200 crosses it from west to east, and Montana Highway 16 from south to north.  Montana Highway 23 is a short road, running from just south of Sidney to the North Dakota border, and Montana Secondary 201 crosses the county west to east with its eastern terminus at Fairview on the North Dakota state line.  The county has seemingly no end of county roads, however, most of which are dirt or gravel.  (I know, I've driven many miles on those roads.)

Old Farmstead by Dirt Road, Eastern Richland County

The largest body of water other than the rivers is Fox Lake, near the town of Lambert in western Richland County.  Fox Lake National Wildlife Refuge is home to numerous species of birds and other wildlife.  The refuge covers almost 1500 acres consisting of the lake itself, the surrounding marshland, and short-grass prairie.  Roads take you into both the northern and southern edges of the refuge, but you have to hike into the interior.  When I visited, the most prevalent form of wildlife seemed to be the grasshopper, countless numbers of which covered my windshield, hood, and filled all available ducts leading to the car's radiator.  Lambert, the town closest to Fox Lake, was, in fact, originally named Fox Lake.  Judging by the size and number of grain elevators (now mostly derelict), Lambert shipped a lot of grain out on the Northern Pacific spur line that connected the community to Sidney, some twenty-four miles east.

Oil Derrick Rising in the Wheat Fields (Central Richland County)

Currently, the future looks bright for Sidney and Richland County, but the community has not forgotten its history.  While not actually in Richland County, or in Montana for that matter, both Fort Union and Fort Buford are historical sites nearby in North Dakota that help to bring the history of this region alive.  In Sidney itself, the MonDak Heritage Center offers a wide range of programs and displays bringing both historic and current cultural artifacts and events to an appreciative public.  The Heritage Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, and is free to the public.  Members enjoy special events free of charge, or at a reduced price.

Richland County's web site can be found at:  http://richland.org/

The Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce has a very informative site at:  http://sidneymt.com/

Photo Information:  (All photographs were taken with a Nikon D80 DSLR and a Nikkor 16-85 mm wide angle/tele/zoom lens unless otherwise noted.   Clicking on any photograph will open a full-sized image in a new window.)

Richland County Sign:  Taken 8/27/2011 on Montana Highway 200 at the McCone/Richland County Line.  Focal length 62 mm.  ISO 125, f /11.0, 1/90 second.

Richland County Court House:  Taken 10/7/2009 in Sidney, Montana.  Focal length 20 mm.  ISO 250, f /22.0, 1/250 second.

Storm Clouds Above the Yellowstone:  Taken 10/7/2009 from Montana Highway 16 near Savage, Montana.  Focal length 85 mm.  ISO 250, f /22.0, 1/350 second.

Old Farmstead by Dirt Road:  Taken 8/27/2011 near Sidney, Montana.  Focal length 16 mm.  ISO 200, f /11.0, 1/125 second.

Oil Derrick Rising in the Wheat Fields:  Taken 8/27/2011 in Central Richland County.  Focal length 85 mm. ISO 125, f /11.0, 1/250 second.