Belfry, Montana
Belfry, Montana | |
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Aerial view of Belfry | |
Location of Belfry, Montana | |
| Coordinates: 45°08′05″N 109°00′12″W / 45.13472°N 109.00333°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Carbon |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.72 sq mi (4.45 km2) |
| • Land | 1.66 sq mi (4.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0.054 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,845 ft (1,172 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 193 |
| • Density | 115.9/sq mi (44.76/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 59008 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-04900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407824 |
Belfry is a census-designated place (CDP) in Carbon County, Montana, United States. It is an unincorporated town, and is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 193 at the 2020 census, down from 218 in the 2010 census. It is located approximately 11 miles (18 km) from the Wyoming border, roughly halfway between Billings, Montana and Cody, Wyoming.
Belfry is predominantly an agricultural community. The primary crops are sugar beets, alfalfa, and feed corn. Ranchers raise cattle and sheep. Water for agricultural use comes mostly from the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River through several cooperative ditch companies, with water rights dating back 100 years or more.
The town was created by the construction of the Yellowstone Park Railroad in 1905. The line, known as Montana, Wyoming & Southern Railroad beginning in 1909, was a short line between Bridger and the coal mines. The town was named for Dr. Oran Merton Belfry, an investor in the railroad. The post office was established on February 26, 1906, with Mary Hall as the first postmaster.
Belfry was the headquarters of the railroad and anchored the business district. With demand for coal down, the railroad went bankrupt in 1954. The Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Kose Hall is also listed on the Register. The building has functioned as a dance hall, restaurant, and general store.