Early Hamilton Montana Census Information

in 1860 the U.S. Census lists 258 people living in 53 households as "free inhabitants" in the Bitterroot Valley. The "Bitter Root" valley was then in the county of Spokane, territory of Washington. Most of the men listed themselves as farmers, but there were also packers, herders, Indian agents, black smiths, millers, harness makers, a tinsmith, and Jesuit missionary. French-Canadians were many, and there were also southern Indians, and quite a few folks from Ireland.

In 1864 a territorial census was taken before Montana was divided into districts. The Bitterroot Valley was then Missoula county, and census toll was 450. Taking the census was quite a job as the census taker, James Tufts, had to travel, mostly by horseback and mule, finding the scattered inhabitants such as miners and prospectors seeking gold. The end result was really an estimate of population.

By 1890 the first Federal census was taken in the area and found 1,377 people living in Corvallis, and the Skalkaho township totaling 1,045.

A Rand McNally map of 1890 shows the following populations:

Como - 60
Darby - 20
Florence - 40
Grantsdale - 500
Hamilton - 50
Riverside - 50
Stevensville - 400
Victor - 200